The Home Ministry will fully cooperate with the MACC to investigate allegations of corruption by immigration officers in handling foreign tourists at the country’s entry points.
Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry had no objection to the investigation by the commission.
“The Home Ministry will extend our fullest cooperation to MACC," he told reporters after launching the national-level People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) 51st-anniversary celebration at its northern region training centre in Bukit Selambau in Sungai Petani today.
Earlier, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the National Registration Department and the Immigration Department - both under the purview of the Home Ministry - are being investigated for corruption and power abuse.
A news portal on Thursday reported a commotion at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) when a minister allegedly attempted to "rescue" a female Chinese national who was denied entry into the country.
The minister, who was later revealed to be Tiong King Sing, was said to have barged into the arrival hall without applying for a security pass.
Commenting on the KLIA incident, Saifuddin said the inspection of visitors entering the country by immigration officers is a common practice, which is also a practice by immigration staff in other countries.
He said there were cases of visitors given the ‘Not To Land’ notice, but the number was small.
"For example, for visitors from China, an average of only between 50 and 60 people are issued the NTL and there are also from other countries, but the number is small,” he added.
- Bernama
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