Immigration Dept: Report special pass irregularities directly to us or MACC

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 1 — The Immigration Department (JIM) has urged the public to report alleged irregularities in the issuance of Special Passes involving its officers in Kuala Lumpur directly to the authorities.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said information or evidence could be submitted to JIM or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to facilitate a comprehensive investigation.

“Providing information directly to the authorities is crucial to protecting the confidentiality of information and preserving the integrity of evidence.

“Publicly disclosing information about suspected unlawful activities before reporting it to the authorities could prompt those involved to halt their activities, change their modus operandi or destroy evidence, thereby hindering investigations and enforcement action,” he said in a statement today.

Zakaria said JIM welcomed information on alleged misconduct by its officers and would ensure that all reports received were reviewed and referred for appropriate action under the prevailing laws and regulations.

He said the department viewed the allegations seriously and would not tolerate misconduct, abuse of power or breaches of integrity by its officers, regardless of rank or position.

As part of efforts to strengthen integrity and accountability, Zakaria said a total of 849 immigration officers had faced disciplinary action from 2023 to October this year, including 73 who were dismissed.

From January to October this year alone, 96 officers faced disciplinary action, including 18 who were dismissed.

He said the figures reflected the department’s firm stance on taking action against officers found to have committed disciplinary offences.

JIM would continue to strengthen integrity, procedural compliance and internal controls to ensure that all services were delivered transparently and in accordance with the law, he added. — Bernama