Liow wants explanation from Wee over outburst

PETALING JAYA: Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong will be asked to give an explanation for his alleged outburst against AirAsia in Beijing.
"Wee's action is something that is uncalled for because I think as a nation, we should promote tourism and we should promote our airlines when we are abroad.
"I would like an explanation from him over his action," Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pix) said.
Wee had allegedly lost his cool and destroyed an AirAsia bunting put up at a Tourism Malaysia booth at the Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) last Friday.
According to news reports, Wee had allegedly lambasted his staff at the expo for having an AirAsia bunting displayed in the area of their booth as he claimed that the carrier had not paid the appropriate fees to have their branding at the booth.
It was reported later that Wee then broke the bunting with his bare hands and allegedly exclaimed that "he hated AirAsia".
Wee had criticised AirAsia in the past during his tenure as a Member of Parliament for allegedly owing airport tax in the region of RM50 million.
At press time, theSun was not able to reach Wee for comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes today hit back at Wee, alleging that the latter had been "tormenting" the budget carrier for many years.
"For many years this man has tormented us. We have no idea why. I invited him many times to visit AirAsia Allstars," he said on his Facebook page.
Fernandes said Wee's actions were "over the top" as his carrier has brought in the most Chinese tourists into the country.
"But this is over the top. AirAsia brings in the most Chinese tourists. You be the judge of what's right and what's wrong," the post went on, accompanied by a screenshot of an article in the Chinese media of the outburst which happened last Friday.