Immigration officer who assaulted foreigner suspended

An immigration officer caught on video getting physical with a client, believed to be a foreigner, has been suspended from work with immediate effect, Immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said today.

In a statement, Mustafar said serious action, including sacking, could be imposed on department officers who commit wrongdoings.

"The officer's conduct clearly affects the department's image and goes against the department's and the civil service's code of ethics.

“The department will not compromise on officers who violate integrity, which affects the department's good name and image, neither will it protect those who commit such wrongdoings.

"Serious action, including sacking, will be taken without compromise, against officers found guilty (of such conduct)," he said.

The 10-second video clip, which shows an officer hitting the foreigner, said to be a Myanmar national, on the head before forcing the latter's hand onto a scanner, went viral on social media today.

The incident reportedly took place at the Immigration Department office in Wisma Persekutuan, Johor Bahru at about 9 am today. - Mkini