Caning for Immigration staff bringing in illegals

Government will take the matter to Parliament if the Immigration Act needs amendment, says home minister.

PUTRAJAYA: After suggesting mandatory caning for agents found guilty of bringing in illegals, the Home Ministry wants the same for immigration officers involved in such activities.

Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said discussions towards implementing the punishment would begin this week involving the ministry’s legal adviser, Immigration Department and attorney-general’s chambers.

“We want to propose (mandatory caning) to the government after the discussions because I think jail and fine are insufficient as deterrents.

“We will take the matter to Parliament if the Immigration Act needs amendment, or we will just enter a clause on the punishment to existing regulations.

“Although collusions involving Immigration Department personnel and agents of foreign workers were isolated cases, the proposal was necessary to protect the department’s good name.

“It is better to be a bit embarrassed now rather than be humiliated later, on matters of eradication of illegal workers,” he told a media conference after attending the ‘Immigration Day’ celebration here today.

Ahmad Zahid said the punishment would help in efforts to wipe out bad elements who tarnished the department’s image and simultaneously, reduce the possibility of incidents such as the flash floods in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, recently.

“I focus on the Immigration Department because according to the anti-corruption report tabled recently by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to the Cabinet, the department is at the top among 10 agencies and departments,” he said, adding that the police were also included in the list.

However, Ahmad Zahid noted that behind the negative perception, the Immigration Department, via its enforcement division, had succeeded in reducing illegal foreign workers.

During the ceremony, the minister also launched a RM10 border pass which was valid for a year to enter Malaysia/Thailand, to replace the normal A4 size printed document for Malaysians who have stayed more than a year in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Hulu Perak district.

– BERNAMA