The government needs to take action against the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing

 PETALING JAYA: The government needs to take action against the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is ac...

 PETALING JAYA: The government needs to take action against the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is accused of obstructing the duties of a civil servant following an incident at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) recently.

 The Vice President of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said that the minister's action violates Section 56(1)(g) of the Immigration Act, which is to obstruct either actively or passively any immigration officer who is carrying out his duties despite having special pass to enter KLIA Terminal 1.

 In fact, he said, his actions which are said to interfere with the immigration officers from carrying out their duty and trust to legally detain the foreign tourists is an offense under Section 186 of the Penal Code which is preventing a civil servant from carrying out his duties.

 "I would like to emphasize that under any circumstances, public officials should be allowed to carry out their legitimate duties without interference and pressure from anyone, let alone when it involves matters of national security and sovereignty. Incidents like this would not happen if we respect the duties of public servants.

 "Strict warnings must be given to any party that tries to obstruct and interfere with the authorities' duties. Civil servants only carry out their duties according to their duties and functions. It is not appropriate for them to be prevented or abused under any circumstances," he said in a statement today.

 Earlier, a minister allegedly barged into the KLIA international arrivals hall to urge the Immigration Department to release a visitor from China until it went viral on social media.

 It allegedly happened yesterday evening when the minister was said to have entered the arrival area without applying for a pass.

 It is understood that it aims to 'rescue' a Chinese woman who is said to have been denied entry into the country.

 On the other hand, King Sing denied that he abused his power as a minister to the point of causing an incident and explained that he did not have the authority to release foreign tourists detained by the Immigration Department and if he did so, it would only damage his reputation.

 According to him, the tourist was detained without reason by the immigration department even though the woman had complete documentation.