AN investigation paper has been opened on allegations of corruption and abuse of power among Immigration officers at the country’s entry points, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic).
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) said the matter is still being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“According to Subsection 29(4) of the MACC Act 2009, developments regarding the investigation process cannot be disclosed to any party,” she said in a written reply to Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut).
The MP had asked the government to provide the latest updates on the investigation into the allegations by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing earlier this year.
Tiong had said he had to step in to help an employee of a China-based media company after Immigration officers held her up at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) upon her arrival from Shenzhen on June 29.
The woman alleged that although her travel documents were in order, she was denied entry.
She alleged that she was asked to pay several thousand ringgit if she wanted to be allowed entry.
Azalina said the government strives to improve on existing practices and governance to ensure the smooth arrival of tourists at the country’s entry points.
“This is also in line with the government’s aim to put Malaysia in the top 25 spots in the world in the Corruption Perception Index and to continually boost efforts to combat corruption in the country.”
