Guardians of our borders: Immigration cadet officers displaying their skill and agility in a demonstration at the completion of the Basic, Higher and Management Certificate Course Series 1 Year 2024 at the Malaysian Immigration Academy. (below) Immigration cadet officers marching during the ceremony. — Bernama
PORT DICKSON: Immigration enforcement officers arrested on suspicion of being involved in the “counter setting” syndicate have been transferred to other units and will no longer serve at the KL International Airport’s entry control counters, says the department.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said about 50 officers had been transferred from their original assignments following their arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) last month.
“They are all still under investigation by the MACC. They have been given other duties.
“The department will not compromise if any of our officers are involved in integrity issues,” he told reporters yesterday, Bernama reported.
Zakaria said his department would give its full cooperation to MACC to investigate Immigration personnel suspected of being involved in integrity issues.
“Counter setting” refers to foreigners who enter the country without proper documents at designated and predetermined lanes at entry points.
MACC had uncovered syndicate activities involving bringing foreign nationals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Nepal into Malaysia through entry points without proper inspection and clearance by authorities.
The officers involved were believed to have received bribes between RM200 and RM2,500 for each foreigner taking up the “counter setting” service.
Zakaria also said the department is in the midst of procuring closed-circuit cameras to be installed at all its counters including at entry points.
“There may be other technologies that can help us, especially in the aspect of digitalising immigration services.
“This includes the use of technology to overcome integrity issues in the department,” he said.
