KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai today urged Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong to respond to allegations of an outburst against AirAsia during an expo in Beijing last week.

Liow was commenting on an incident in which Wee allegedly told Tourism Malaysia staff to remove AirAsia material from from its booth at the event in China.

“I think as a nation, we should promote tourism and we should promote the airlines flying in Malaysia,” he said.

“It is uncalled for and I would like an explanation from him.”

Last Friday, Wee allegedly lashed out at his staff 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 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.

Wee previously attacked AirAsia over its alleged airport tax debt of more than RM50 million, and was sued for defamation by the airlines last year.

The former PKR man has also accused Liow and Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) of failing to hold the airline responsible to its obligations.