At least 50 per cent of immigration officers from KL International Airport (KLIA) and KL International Airport 2 (KLIA2) were replaced recently after they had shown elements of sabotage in the Malaysian Immigration system (myIMMs), reports Malay Mail.
“At least 50 per cent front liners at KLIA and KLIA2 have been replaced.”
– Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Several months ago, the Malaysian Immigration Department found elements of sabotage in the system dating as far as 2010, and these illicit activities had reached a serious level to which harsh actions were needed.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently had expressed his utmost concern over the issue in an exclusive interview with Malay Mail.
He states that he is worried about the ‘integrity of those holding crucial positions, especially at the nation’s entry and exit points’.
It was also revealed that a whopping total of 37 Immigration personnel were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) and Prevention of Crime Act (POCA).
He further mentioned that replacing the compromised personnel is necessary to strengthen the security at the airports and also eliminate risk of any potential sabotage in the future.
In addition to replacing staff, the Immigration Department would also install 300 new facial recognition devices at airports and ports nationwide. The new facial recognition device would be an added security feature on top of the scanning of thumbprints at the electronic gates and they would be installed by the end of next year.
Besides that, Bukit Aman Special Branch director Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said yesterday that the 37 personnel were detained this year under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) for 28 days.
As a result of the detainment,
- Four were charged in court with human trafficking activities
- Six were further detained for 60 days under the POCA and slapped with a two-year detention order
- 11 were further detained for 60 days under the POCA and slapped with a two-year restriction order
- 12 were further held for 60 days under the POCA and waiting for a decision from the Crime Prevention Board if they were to be slapped with a detention order, restriction order or be released
- Four were detained 60 days under the POCA and remain in police custody pending completion of investigations.
Fuzi said investigations shockingly found the immigration staff were directly involved with human smuggling syndicates.
These corrupted officers had illegally provided visas, tampered data in the Immigration system, stamped passports of foreigners despite not meeting requirements and conspired to smuggle in those who were on the Immigration Department’s blacklist.
A source said most of the detained personnel were manning the Immigration counters at KLIA with some based at the headquarters in Putrajaya and its office in Jalan Duta.
On May 18, Malay Mail had exposed that myIMMs had been deliberately sabotaged and police confirmed that it was done by a Malaysian connected to several human trafficking syndicates.
