Police now probing ‘sandals saga’

PETALING JAYA: The “sandals saga” involving Senate president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran(pic) at the VIP lane in KLIA is far from over as police are now saying that an investigation will be carried out.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Mazlan Mansor said they were investigating the case under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 after a police report was lodged.

It is learnt that the airport management had lodged a police report over the incident on Saturday night.

The incident took place at 10.14pm on Nov 14 when Vigneswaran, who was seen wearing a red collared shirt, long pants and sandals, was stopped by officers stationed at the VIP lanes for not adhering to the dress code.

Security footage released by authorities showed that Vigneswaran did not stop and proceeded downstairs to the VIP lobby area before heading to the departure gates.

In Seremban, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government would support its civil servants and government staff who carried out their duties accordingly.

Loke said under the Pakatan Harapan administration, these officers and staff must be “brave and stern” in enforcing their responsibilities.

“If they face any problems, we will back them up.

“That is the message I want to send to all government and agency officers who are in the frontline, as they face numerous challenges daily,” he said.

Loke said some officers were worried when facing VIPs.

“Do not worry. Follow the procedures and rules.

“Even I have to adhere to these rules. There is no exception,” he told reporters.

When asked if Vigneswaran should apologise for violating security protocol, Loke said it was his prerogative.

“It is up to him but he should be humble and apologise to those affected,” he said.

Earlier, both men traded verbal barbs after Loke showed the press a footage of Vigneswaran wearing sandals at the VIP lane and that he had encroached into a security area without going through proper checks.

The MIC president responded that it was “cheap publicity” by the DAP minister.