Fake notice of penalties on transport operators going around

 

A fake notice circulating on social media said transport operators and taxi drivers would face penalties for not verifying identity documents of foreign passengers. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The immigration department has denied that public transport operators will be penalised for failing to verify identity documents of foreign passengers.

The claims had been circulating on social media. However, the director-general of immigration, Ruslin Jusoh, said a fake notice from the department had been circulating on social media.

He cited the language used in the fake notice and said: “The immigration department issues statements only in Malay, not English.”

Ruslin Jusoh.

Ruslin was responding to a query from FMT about the notice, purportedly issued by the department. It claimed that bus, train, light rail transit and taxi operators would be fined RM35,000 and imprisoned for 12 months if convicted under Section 55E of the Immigration Act.

That section deals with the harbouring of undocumented migrants.

A coalition of taxi drivers, alarmed by the purported notice, had demanded an explanation. But Ruslin said that taxi drivers need not worry.

“This message is false and fabricated by irresponsible parties,” he told FMT, adding that the department will issue an official media statement tomorrow morning.

The immigration act stipulates a fine of between RM5,000 and RM30,000 or up to 12 months’ jail or both for each illegal immigrant harboured. - FMT