PETALING JAYA: The Public Service Department (PSD) dismisses claims that its director-general publicly berated an Immigration officer in public and described such allegations as baseless and maliciously intended to tarnish his image as a high-ranking government official.
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“The PSD would like to refer to a statement that is currently circulating on social media regarding the alleged accusation that the PSD director-general uttered abusive words towards Immigration officers at the KL International Airport (KLIA) on Wednesday (Aug 3) morning.
“PSD takes this matter seriously and would like to emphasise that all charges against the director-general are baseless and maliciously intended to tarnish his image as a high government official,” PSD said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 4).
PSD explained that its director-general had reprimanded an Immigration officer at KLIA for non-compliance with practices and procedures where officials did not check the travel documents and passports of the director-general and his delegation abroad.
“In fact, they were directed directly to the Customs inspection counter to continue their journey.
“PSD is of the view that non-compliance in checking immigration documents such as passports is a serious offence under the law.
“In fact, officials who do not comply with immigration regulations abroad may be subject to disciplinary action,” it read.
PSD also emphasised that the remarks were not made in public.
“The director-general only advised the officers to comply with the rules and help resolve such issues prudently.
“He recommended that the Immigration Department at KLIA should improve compliance with standard operating procedures to avoid any non-compliance with immigration rules,” it said.
PSD apologised for the false statements spread on social media by irresponsible parties and said the matter should be properly investigated by the relevant authorities.
Earlier on Wednesday (Aug 3), the Malaysian Immigration Authorities Association and Peninsular Malaysia Immigration Service Union released statements on the incident, with alleged accounts of the incident making its rounds on social media.
Both associations were critical of the incident.
The KLIA Immigration Operations head was said to have been at the receiving end because there were no Immigration officers stationed at the VIP room between 8.40am and 9.40am on Wednesday.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin acknowledged that he was aware of the allegations involving the PSD director-general and said the Home Ministry will look into claims that a senior civil servant publicly berated an Immigration officer in KLIA.
