SEPANG: The Immigration Department has denied claims that it discriminates against foreigners entering the country.
This follows a video circulated on TikTok alleging that Indian tourists were being ill-treated at Malaysian airports.
The one minute, 11 seconds video claims that Indian nationals were made to wait unnecessarily even though they had all their documents and proof of having sufficient funds.
It also claimed that Indian nationals were made to sit on the floor, a sign of disrespect.
It alleged that such treatment was an insult to them and their country.
Immigration Department director general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said there was no discrimination involved.
"We always offer the best service to foreigners and tourists entering our country.
"There are however several incidents where foreigners entered the country and instead of heading straight to the Immigration counters, they spent hours loitering in the airport.
"There are even incidents where foreigners attempted to hide from authorities in airport toilets," he told reporters after an engagement session with tourist agencies at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Monday (Aug 8).
He said his department received flight manifests so its officers would know how many people were scheduled to disembark from flights.
"So when some of those on these manifests don't show up at the Immigration counters, we send enforcement officers to round them up."
Khairul then went on to say that sometimes those questioned would admit that they came to Malaysia to look for work, adding that some of them did not even have adequate funds or a place to stay.
He said as they had violated their social visit passes, a not-to-land order (NTL) was issued and they would be sent back to their country of origin.
He said since January, a total of 34,786 foreigners were issued NTL orders with 4,207 issued at KLIA alone.
"The highest number of foreigners issued NTL orders hailed from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Vietnam," he added.
