Apologise over Tiong’s KLIA fiasco, DAP MP urges immigration dept

The June 2023 incident allegedly saw the tourism minister barging into the arrival hall to help a Chinese national who was detained.

(FMT) – A DAP MP has urged the immigration department to issue an apology over an incident at KLIA Terminal 1 involving tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing in June last year.

The incident allegedly saw Tiong barging into the airport’s arrival hall without a pass to help a Chinese national who was detained after being denied entry into the country.

Tiong had claimed that immigration officers asked for up to RM3,000 to release detained travellers, and an additional RM3,000 if the traveller wanted to return to their home country immediately.

In a statement today, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said the immigration department should come forward and apologise over the fiasco.

“The incident occurred after the minister tried to expose corrupt practices among immigration officers at the airport,” he said, in response to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s bust of a syndicate at KLIA that brought in foreigners without undergoing proper immigration checks.

Tiong had allegedly scolded KLIA auxiliary police and immigration officers while trying to help the foreigner in June 2023, and later claimed his “visit” had exposed a “culture of corruption by a few officials and the chronic abuse of power”.

MACC had launched an investigation into Tiong’s claims though the result of the probe is unclear. In October 2023, MACC was reportedly still investigating the allegation made by Tiong.

MACC nonetheless arrested 50 enforcement officers – 49 from the immigration department and one from the police – after busting the syndicate that allowed foreigners into Malaysia through special counters.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said officers pocketed up to RM2,500 for each migrant, and suggested barring them from bringing their handphones with them while on duty.

Lim backed Azam’s proposal and also called for immigration officers to wear body cameras and immigration counters to be fitted with CCTVs to further curb corruption.

“Body cameras would record every interaction and conversation between officers and visitors, improving accountability and transparency (in the department). This is also a preventive measure as both officers and visitors will know that their every move is being recorded,” he said.

He also suggested establishing an anonymous complaints mechanism so that members of the public could blow the whistle on any misconduct among immigration officers.