Tourist incident: M'sia-China friendship association throws support behind Tiong

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia-China Friendship and Mutual Aid Association (MCFAMAA) stands behind Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing following a commotion that occured at KL International Airport (KLIA).

In a statement on Monday (July 3), MCFAMAA said its advisor Datuk Seri Michael Chong appreciated the minister's outspokenness on rectifying "the negative image of the Immigration Department".

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"This is a very serious incident that affects our country. The association will fully cooperate with Tiong to assist," the statement said.

It added that a similar incident had occurred on May 17 when the Federation of Commercial Photographic Society Malaysia (FCPS) had invited 12 representatives from the China Portrait Photography Society to Malaysia.

The statement said the society's vice-president was held by the Immigration Department without reason and those that came on the tour with him had to wait at the airport for nearly three hours.

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The matter was later resolved after Chong contacted Immigration on behalf of FCPS, the statement said, emphasising that no fees were paid.

MCFAMAA president Ee Kah Fuk, who is also representative lawyer for the Chinese Embassy, added that the embassy was very concerned and had received instructions to provide relevant assistance to handle similar incidents.

"The association also welcomes foreign tourists to Malaysia for tourism and will help all Chinese in Malaysia, whether they come for tourism or business," it said.

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It was reported by a news portal Thursday (June 29) night that a Cabinet Minister had barged into the arrival hall at KLIA and created a commotion in an attempt to "free" a Chinese national who was prohibited entry into Malaysia.

The news site also alleged that the minister had entered the restricted zone at the airport without a permit or pass.

Tiong has since come forward to confirm that he was the minister in question, but said he was only there to help an employee of a China-based media company after she was allegedly held up by immigration officers.