KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 ― Wee Choo Keong allegedly lashed out at his staff yesterday during the 4th China (Beijing) International Tourism Expo 2016 after seeing that an AirAsia bunting was put up alongside other promotional materials at Tourism Malaysia’s booth.

A source familiar with the matter claimed that Wee, who is Tourism Malaysia chairman, publicly berated the staff responsible and ordered the bunting removed.

After it was placed backstage, however, the former federal lawmaker allegedly broke the bunting before telling his staff to remove all items associated with AirAsia.

Malay Mail Online understands that the low-cost airline was invited to attend the exhibition and Wee was there for the opening ceremony.

“We confirm the incident that took place at the 4th China International Tourism Expo 2016 in Beijing (on Friday) and we are very disappointed with what happened,” a spokesperson from AirAsia told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

Malay Mail Online has made attempts to contact Wee over the matter and is currently awaiting his response.

Wee has in the past openly attacked AirAsia over its alleged airport tax debt of more than RM50 million.

The former PKR man has taken his grouses to Twitter and to his blog, accusing Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and the Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) of failing to hold the airline responsible to its obligations.

In July last year, AirAsia Berhad filed a defamation suit against Wee over his blog post on the issue, also accusing him of regularly publishing many false and disparaging statements in his blog www.weechookeong.com.