KAJANG: A total of 77 Immigration Department officers have been dismissed over disciplinary and integrity-related offences since 2022, says Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
Eight of these officers were sacked this year alone.
“Among the common offences were breaches of SOP (standard operating procedure), abuse of authority, absenteeism, drug-related activities and smuggling prohibited items into immigration depots.
“Some officers were also found dealing with matters beyond their authority, including cases linked to ‘counter setting’,” he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya Aidiladha event at a temporary immigration depot in Beranang yesterday.
Zakaria said the department would not hesitate in taking action against any officer for misconduct.
“If we find them guilty based on evidence, disciplinary action will be taken, including dismissal.”
However, he explained that disciplinary proceedings take time, as they are subject to regulations.
Furthermore, concrete evidence is needed, he said.
“We cannot punish officers without proof because any decision must adhere to laws and regulations.
“Otherwise, the move by the department’s disciplinary board could be challenged in court.”
Zakaria also said that 971 disciplinary cases since 2022 were resolved with dismissals among the actions taken against errant officers.
These cases, he said, largely involved support group officers, as disciplinary matters involving management and professional officers fall under the Public Service Department’s disciplinary board.
On another matter, Zakaria said the misconception that Malaysia is home to large numbers of undocumented foreign workers must be remedied.
“Sometimes the public has the wrong idea when they see foreigners congregating in several locations in Kuala Lumpur during public holidays or on weekends. They would assume that the country is a hub for illegal foreign workers.
“Such misconceptions must be corrected, as Malaysia has more than three million foreign workers with valid permits and passes.”
Between Jan 1 and May 25, he said the department had conducted 5,010 operations nationwide, leading to 17,313 undocumented foreigners nabbed.
Most of them were from Indonesia (5,578), Bangladesh (3,533), Myanmar (2,856), the Philippines (1,990) and Pakistan (811).
