KUALA LUMPUR: The corruption and abuse of power allegations involving Immigration officers are currently under investigation, disclosed Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms). The matter is currently being looked into by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). According to subsection 29(4) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, details related to the investigation process cannot be disclosed to any parties.
During a parliamentary written reply on Wednesday (Oct 25), Azalina addressed a query from Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) regarding the latest progress on the investigation into the allegations made by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing earlier this year.
Earlier reports mentioned Tiong’s statement that he had to intervene when an employee of a China-based media company faced complications with Immigration officers upon her arrival from Shenzhen on June 29, at KLIA airport. Despite having valid travel documents, she was denied entry and allegedly asked to pay a substantial sum of money.
Azalina assured that the government is committed to enhancing existing practices and governance to ensure a smooth entry for tourists at the country’s border checkpoints. This is aligned with the unity government’s goal of placing Malaysia among the top 25 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and actively combating corruption.
