Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin today conceded that efforts to resolve problems concerning unlawful entry into the country were hampered due to bad apples in the Immigration Department.
During his speech at the department's excellent service award ceremony today, Hamzah said the problem can be resolved soon with the help of sincere and honest people in the department.
"The problem that we are facing is that some of us had chosen paths that can damage the image of our department and pose threats to our society and economy.
"All of you have a very big responsibility and that is why I want to be here today so that I can tell you that I want to be with the Immigration Department to ensure that the issue of undocumented migrants would be (a priority) for us to resolve as soon as possible, with all of you in front of me now who are sincere and honest (in carrying out duties)," he said.
The minister also dedicated part of his speech to commending the role of department staff in combating the Covid-19 outbreak, noting that this department was often overlooked by the public when showing appreciation to frontliners.
"Sometimes, people did not realise that one of the agencies that helped to determine the success in facing this pandemic was the Immigration Department, which is one of the frontliners alongside other agencies.
"Many had commended the Health Ministry, hospital services and also the police and other agencies. But seldom that people saw the Immigration Department.
"What they saw was only the negative aspects of the Immigration Department," he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Hamzah said 21,241 foreigners had been deported between Jan 1 and Aug 10 for violating immigration laws. Last year, about 50,000 foreigners were deported.
On the government's plans to replace the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) Bill, Hamzah said it was necessary to be fair to the police.
"I will answer this in parliament. To ensure that all are treated fairly.
"I want to give equality before the law. It is not only about that commission but to all police personnel and the people. That is of paramount importance in our country, which is to have equality before the law," he said.
The IPCMC was conceived in 2005 by a Royal Commission of Inquiry led by former chief justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah.
Following this, the BN administration refused to implement the recommendation due to protests from the police.
It was only tabled in Parliament in November 2019 by the Pakatan Harapan administration, which wanted the new watchdog to be placed under the purview of the Law Minister.
However, the present Perikatan Nasional administration wants the IPCC bill to place the new police watchdog under the Home Ministry. - Mkini
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