KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong has hit back at allegations that his conduct at the recent BITE (Beijing International Tourism Exhibition) was "over the top."
He believes that the matter has been "blown out proportion" by certain quarters.
“I categorically deny that I broke the buntings with my bare hands as alleged by certain quarters.
“The wild allegations were most vicious,” said Wee in a statement today.
Wee explained that on the contrary, he had merely asked staff to remove buntings from AirAsia and Genting to the back of the Tourism Malaysia booth at the expo last weekend.
The reason for this, he said, was that the buntings were overshadowing the Tourism Malaysia (TM) brand, as well as obstructing the ribbon cutting area, for the launch ceremony.
“My stand is that no buntings from private companies should be allowed to overshadow the brand of TM unless they are buntings belonging to TM or the government,” added Wee.
The former lawmaker also expressed his regret over how the matter was made personal by certain quarters by invoking Wee’s private stance on AirAsia.
Wee stressed that his concern has been consistent – that AirAsia, have yet to service its debts to Malaysian Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) incurred from airport service tax, but yet, the company is expanding as if everything is swell.
“In fact, the CEO of another Malaysian airline had been reported to have also complained that there is no level playing field in the aviation industry because AirAsia was allowed to owe huge sum of PSC / airport tax.
“This is not a personal issue but rather one of whether an airline should be given special right to owe huge sum of money on PSC & other charges to MAHB,” Wee said.
Wee urged AirAsia to settle what he referred to as “huge” outstanding debts to MAHB so that the airport company can offer better services and facilities to travellers.
With regards to Tourism Malaysia, however, Wee assured that he will not allow his personal opinion to affect his professional judgement.
According to news reports, Wee had allegedly berated his staff for having AirAsia buntings in Tourism Malaysia's pavilion in the prestigious Beijing International Tourism Expo last weekend, before physically breaking the buntings.
Air Asia’s Group CEO, Tony Fernandes labelled the recent outburst by Wee as “over the top,” claiming that the budget airline had endured "many years of torment" from Wee.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai today demanded an explanation from Wee over his alleged outburst.