Muhyiddin: Errant border officers will face action

PONTIAN: The Home Ministry will not hesitate to take stern action against its officers if they were found to be involved in the security breach at the Perlis-Thailand border.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ministry will investigate the new evidence provided by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“We welcome MACC to provide any new information or evidence, including photos and videos, that would allow us to identify the people involved.

“Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law and if any security personnel were found to be guilty, we will not hesitate to take the necessary action.”

He said this after his working visit to the Pontian police headquarters yesterday.

He added that smuggling activities at the border have been going on for a while and the authorities have previously taken a few measures to curb the problem.

“We are faced with a huge challenge in protecting the border and will beef up enforcement to stop smuggling activities, ” he said.

It was earlier reported that the MACC had uncovered a serious breach of security at the Perlis-Thailand border, believed to be due to corruption involving border security personnel.

Its chief commissioner Latheefa Koya was reported as saying that the anti-graft agency had obtained security tapes showing such activity, as well as smuggling from 2017 up to May this year.

On another matter, Muhyiddin said the ministry would also investigate the issue of the distribution of comics with alleged political material to schools.

“We will get statements from those distributing the comics, including the writers, while also looking into the content before making a decision.

“We do not want to make a rash decision but if the comics contain inappropriate content, we will take necessary action, ” he added.

On Universiti Malaya graduate Wong Yan Ke who staged a protest during the university’s graduation ceremony, the minister said he would leave the matter to the university to decide.

“And I hope they will make a fair decision, ” he said, adding that the university has the autonomy to decide on the matter.- Star