Immigration system deliberately brought down, source says

A highly-placed Home Ministry source said it was probing all parties involved in operating myIMMs, a crucial system of airport security implemented about 20 years ago. — Reuters picPETALING JAYA, May 18 ― Authorities suspect the online Immigration system that screens passengers leaving and entering KL International Airport has been compromised by “suspicious” breakdowns.

A highly-placed Home Ministry source said it was probing all parties involved in operating myIMMs, a crucial system of airport security implemented about 20 years ago.

“It is believed the system may be downed deliberately, suggesting corruption,” the source said. 

“Those manning and operating the electronic screening of passengers — from the authorities to airline staff and employees of the system development company — are being investigated.”

The source said the frequent “crashes” had raised serious questions about whether myIMMs was fit for its purpose during a time of severe threat from terrorists, people smugglers and other criminals.

“The high number of ‘breakdowns’ also suggests that many on watch lists could have gone under the radar,” the source added.

The myIMMs system was linked to Interpol’s I-Checkit in 2014 to enable authorities to verify within seconds if a passport had been stolen or reported lost.

The source said that when the system crashed, passports would be stamped manually.

“Their data is supposed to be input into the system once it is operational again, but this is not being done.” 

The worry: Foreigners sneak into the country, leaving room for terrorism, human trafficking and other criminal activities. 

The source said “system down” had occurred too often and “we now realise it may not be accidental but done purposely”. 

“The government has been increasingly anxious over human trafficking syndicates and others who are taking advantage of the security shortfalls,” he said.

On Friday, police arrested 19 people suspected of trafficking Sri Lankan nationals with fake Malaysian passports to Geneva, Switzerland.

In a four-week operation, they rounded up six Malaysians (two Immigration officers, one agent and three runners), 10 Sri Lankans (two facilitators, three agents, and five migrants) and three Indian agents.

Recently, two Russians and a Sri Lankan who worked as a closed-circuit television technician in the Klang Valley were detained in Selangor.

Questions were raised over how the men could enter Malaysia when the Sri Lankan was on the wanted list in his country, while the Russians were deported from Turkey in February due to suspected ties with Islamic State.

- malaymail