Airport worker suspended after KLIA altercation with foreigner

KUALA LUMPUR: An employee from a Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) subsidiary has been suspended pending investigations into alleged misconduct against a foreign traveller at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA1), says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said the incident, which went viral on social media, involved physical contact and verbal exchanges between the AeroDarat Services (ADS) employee and a passenger issued with a Notice of Refusal of Entry (NTL).

Despite claims of provocation, Loke said professionalism should have been maintained.

“I was informed that the employee involved works for AeroDarat, not Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

“AeroDarat is the ground handling operator for MAG,” Loke said during a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 20).

“The staff member claimed he was provoked by the NTL passenger, which led to physical contact and unpleasant verbal exchanges.

“Regardless of the circumstances, the employee’s actions cannot be justified. They must act professionally at all times while on duty,” he added.

The incident, which occurred on Nov 10, prompted a police report filed by an airline staff member.

On Nov 16, KLIA district police chief Azman Shari’at said the altercation arose after a misunderstanding between the airline staff and the passenger.

An investigation paper has been opened under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.