Taiwanese tourist claims Malaysian police request coffee money to resolve accusation of stealing underwear in airport

Sin Chew Daily, 24 June 2015

(Selangor, Petaling Jaya, 24 June) Taiwan TV station TVBS reported that a Taiwanese tourist was in Langkawi for holiday. Prior to returning home he was stopped by two police accusing him of stealing two pieces of women’s underwear in a duty free shop. The policemen asked him for 1,000 Taiwan dollars (about RM120) as coffee money to settle the case.

According to the report, the Taiwanese tourist managed to clear his name with the shop but almost missed the flight due to time spent on the matter.

Withhold passport insist on monetary compensation

According to the report, Mr You, a businessman selling sports equipment was in a company trip to visit Malaysia. While on his way back, he was shopping in a duty free shop in airport. Two policemen suddenly appeared, accusing him of stealing two pieces of undergarments in another duty free shop. His passport was withheld by them and they wanted him to settle ‘privately’ by paying compensation.

You insisted he was innocent, requesting the other side to show proof by looking at close circuit TV. The other side rejected his proposal. Both side argued for more than an hour and finally the shop proved that he was innocent. He was then allowed to leave. He almost missed the flight as he boarded the plane late.

He said the group tour visited Langkawi, enjoyed the sea and even went fishing. They enjoyed local delicacies. A group photo was also taken before ending the trip. All good memories have been marred by the episode in airport.

According to Miss Tan, one of the members in the group, she said: “The other side insisted on compensation before releasing us. We did not steal any undergarments, why should we compensate?”

“The branded watch on You’s hand is even worth few hundred thousand (Taiwan dollars)”.

Mr You said the tour leader also told him that the coffee money in Malaysia referred to strategy of bribing the police. This has given them a negative impression of Malaysia.

The report said You’s tour group is a trip paid by a badminton equipment company for its dealers. Some of the members brought along their mothers. The episode in airport has tarnished their good impression of Malaysia.

No flight to Taiwan from Langkawi airport, no Victoria’s Secret shop too

A follow up conducted by Sin Chew Daily found that there are some suspicious points to be sorted out in this incident.

TVBS claimed in the report that Mr You was shopping in a duty free shop called Victoria’s Secret, planning to spend all ringgit that he has before flying back to Taiwan. But the report did not identify the airport.

Checks by reporters show that Langkawi airport does not have any flights to Taiwan nor a shop called Victoria’s Secret.

Based on the visual on TV, the Victoria’s Secret shop is likely in Penang International Airport but the report and those interviewed in the report did not mention Penang.

Original Source: 台遊客機場被誣指偷內褲‧“馬警要索｀咖啡錢´解決＂