No News Is Bad News
Take a good look at the above image message … not only is it sarcastic, it shows the public’s disgust with corruption
Home Minister Saifuddin a let down in ‘corrupt’ immigration probe
KUALA LUMPUR, July 6, 2023: Mr Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution! You are really one disappointing minister from Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Malaysians expect better than all the excuses you are “selling” on allegations of graft probes on your immigration men and officers.
Are you trying to find a scapegoat in company that was appointed to manage travellers issued with “ Not To Land” (NTL) notice?
Are you trying to protect your “corrupt” men and officers? Are you saying they are all clean?
Till now, no one has explained why the passengers were detained and issued NTL when they have all the valid travel documents, no criminal record, etc.
Can you, Mr Home Minister, tell us what crime did the travellers commit to warrant issuance of NTL and denied entry?
Mr Saifuddin, please take a look at the above image that is now viral on social media. Don’t you detect the sarcasm and disgust of Malaysians on the lack of concrete action against your men and officers?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below Saifuddin’s load of reasons and excuses for his men and officers but nothing else on the now international shame at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA):
TIN KOSONG’ ANWAR, HIT BY THE ‘MIDDLEMAN’ BOGEY, ON THE VERGE OF DISASTER AGAIN – WILL HE FALL INTO THE TRAP SET BY HIS OWN CORRUPT CIVIL SERVANTS? – INDEED, THE WORLD IS WAITING TO LAUGH AT HIS WEAK & DUMB EXCUSES – AS HIS OWN ANTIGRAFT MACC CHIEF LAUNCHES A DESPERATE COVER-UP IN BROADLIGHT TO SAVE CORRUPT COUNTERPARTS AT MALAYSIA’S NOTORIOUSLY GRAFT-RIDDLED IMMIGRATION
Business, Politics | July 5, 2023 10:16 am by | 0 Comments
Blaming A “Middleman” – Top Level Cover-Up As MACC Tries To Protect Corrupt Immigration With A Bullshit Story
Remember those days at school when we received tips that the discipline teacher is doing a spot check? Students would comb their hair to look like Elvis Presley, trim their fingernails and tug in their shirts nicely. And when the feared teacher arrived with his inch-size cane, everyone pretended to be paying attention. Of course, the discipline teacher was proud to learn everyone was well behaved.
That was precisely what happened when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made a so-called “surprise visit” to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Sunday (July 2), just a few days after the airport attracted world attention with a corruption scandal involving Immigration Department of Malaysia. The problem with such spot check is that everyone could smell the PM miles away.
This Video May Soon Be Banned. Watch Before It's Deleted
Arriving with a battalion of bodyguards, top officers and apple polishers, it was hilarious when Anwar concluded that there were only a few bad apples in the notorious immigration known for corruption. It was basically sales talk when he said the majority of immigration officers perform their duties well. Did he really expect the officers would dare go for “coffee break” knowing he was doing a spot check?
If PM Anwar seriously wanted to do a spot check, he should have learned from Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who frequently goes incognito as he takes the train like ordinary people during peak hours to assess the transportation services. Going undercover is the best way to get the real picture of problems on the ground, not accompanied by an entourage of police and government officers.
The prime minister most likely will not go to the KLIA to inspect the customs and immigration operations if not for the warning from Beijing. On Saturday (July 1), the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia issued a warning – “The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia attaches great importance and makes every effort to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Malaysia.”
The warning came after a corruption scandal exploded when Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing received a call for help from a staff member of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Guangzhou. He rushed to KLIA’s Terminal 1 on Thursday (June 29) in an attempt to help a traveller from China, but was politicized as a minister who abused his authority to rescue a Chinese national.
The corruption scandal was exposed after a senior official of a Chinese government-owned TV station had arrived in Malaysia to pursue her PhD at a local university in Shah Alam and her personal assistant had accompanied her. However, while the senior official was allowed entry, her personal assistant was told there were discrepancies in her travel documents hence was detained.
It was a standard modus operandi by the Immigration Department to solicit money from foreign travellers. In order to gain entry, a “three-star” ranking immigration officer demanded RM3,000 bribes from the Chinese woman. Stunningly, the female tourist was also asked an additional RM3,000 if she wanted to return to the country of origin or re-enter Malaysia using a “special lane”, and RM12,000 for visa-processing fees.
Essentially, she needs to pay a whopping RM18,000 to gain entry into Malaysia as well as to return to China, without which she could be detained indefinitely – an intimidation and bullying tactic. Not only corruption has been committed, the cellphones of the women were seized by the immigration officers. Minister Tiong said – “What powers do they have to seize their phones?”
Yes, the corruption involving the immigration was not confined to several bad apples, as Anwar trumpeted in an obvious effort to protect the corrupt institution. The very fact that the Chinese traveller was deliberately not cleared for entry at the immigration counter, despite all her travel documents were in order, suggests that even the lowest ranking officers were involved – all the way to the top.
The best part is after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) grilled Minister Tiong along the two Chinese nationals, the graft busters said it is hunting for an agent or “middleman”. Suddenly, a middleman has been accused of soliciting bribes to facilitate entries of foreign tourists who violated conditions set by the Malaysian Immigration Department.
MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki should stop insulting people’s intelligence. The anti-corruption agency talked as if the airport immigration is like PUSPAKOM, where “runners” are busy offering services such as road-tax or driving-license renewals to illiterate people or foreigners unable to communicate in the local language in exchange for a small amount of fee.
But is the imaginary “middleman” the same “three-star” ranking immigration officer who had demanded the bribes from the Chinese woman? More importantly, how could a middleman, presumably an outsider, be allowed to operate not only in the jurisdiction of government officers, but also given the authorization to “kautim” (settle) on behalf of the immigration department?
Curiously, if this middleman isn’t an immigration officer from the beginning, how could the phones of the Chinese travellers be confiscated? If indeed the woman from mainland China had committed and offence, why was she immediately freed and allowed entry into Malaysia upon the intervention of Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing?
Crucially, why the MACC is struggling to track down the middleman, who appears to have vanished into thin air, when Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Indonesian Siti Aisyah were quickly arrested after they were caught on CCTV in Malaysian airport murdering Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korea’s leader, using a super-toxic nerve agent?
Even if the dubious middleman did exist, exactly how could he solve the Chinese tourist problem without offering bribes to senior immigration officers in the first place, which will lead to the fact that the department is plagued with corruption from top to bottom. Call the middleman whatever name you like, but it’s not rocket science that they belong to the same cartel or a gang.
That explains how the agent or middleman was tipped about a Chinese national being detained, or rather deliberately detained over half-baked accusation that she did not have proper documentation to enter the country. Like it or not, it’s hard to believe that the only culprit is an invincible middleman, whilst the Immigration Department of Malaysia is innocent and clean.
The humiliating scandal has attracted others to share similar experiences. A viral video has surfaced on TikTok, showing a man believed to be a Chinese national revealing that he was detained in KLIA since 2.30 pm on July 2 and was asked to pay RM10,000 to the corrupt immigration officer to enter Malaysia. He also shared how a Hong Kong tourist was asked to fork out RM10,000 to immigration officers.
Anwar-led unity government and the MACC should think twice about defending the indefensible. The Chinese citizens are no ordinary tourists. They were officials for a Chinese TV station, and they have recorded all the conversations that transpired with airport officials and intended to expose their unpleasant experience when they returned to China.
If the MACC continues its effort to cover-up the Immigration Department’s corruption, it would make the scandal even more toxic should the Chinese news media exposed the recording for the world’s consumption. Malaysia’s tourist receipts amounted to RM28.2 billion (US$6.05 billion) in 2022, compared to RM86.1 billion in 2019.
Since 2012, China has been one of Malaysia’s biggest sources of tourists. Before the pandemic outbreak, China sent more travellers overseas than any other market – about 150 million Chinese tourists spending RM1,240.85 billion abroad in 2018. Malaysia attracted about 3.11 million Chinese tourists in 2019 – 12% of total tourist arrivals – and spent a total of RM15.3 billion.
The Malaysian government has set an ambitious target of attracting 16 million tourists this year, with the objective of generating RM49.2 billion in tourist receipts. The Chinese are not only important in terms of tourist numbers to Malaysia, they are also “high-value tourists”. Typically, Chinese tourist spent RM661 to RM768 per day in Malaysia, which was 19% to 72% higher than what the average tourist did.
Creating a story of middleman might be a clever tactic to divert attention, which ultimately leads to the infamous NFA (no further action) by the authorities. However, it’s a dumb move to sacrifice billions of tourism money in exchange for some corrupt little Napoleons. China can also retaliate in other areas. PM Anwar should act tough without looking weak and apologetic to the immigration department.
FINANCE TWITTER
Transport ministry to review company managing ‘Not To Land’ cases at KLIA
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says when the company asks travellers to buy return tickets, it can lead to graft allegations.
FMT Reporters - 05 Jul 2023, 9:45pm
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the transport ministry had been tasked during a Cabinet meeting to examine the work practices of the company in question.
PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet meeting today has requested the transport ministry to look into the practices of a company appointed to manage foreign travellers issued with “Not To Land” (NTL) notices.
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the company was made responsible for managing the purchase of return tickets and meals for travellers issued with an NTL notice.
“The transport minister was asked to review this practice.
“Sometimes, there can be confusion when a person subject to NTL is asked to provide a certain amount of money to purchase a return ticket.
“This can be mistaken as an immigration officer asking for money,” Saifuddin said, adding that this matter needed to be re-examined, Bernama reported.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki earlier said they had recorded statements from at least 14 people about last Friday’s incident involving a surprise visit to the immigration section of KLIA by tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing.
Those MACC recorded statements from included two travellers from China who entered as tourists and eight immigration officers. Tiong was also questioned, Azam added.
Azam said an agent from the management company had allegedly solicited a fee to help a female traveller from China after she was prohibited from entering Malaysia.
He said the company had been under contract to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to manage travellers handed the NTL notices since 2017.
Saifuddin said the issuing of NTL notices to travellers will from now on be determined by immigration officers of Grade KP41 and above, compared to the current practice which allows lower-ranking KP29 officers to do so.
He said the home ministry would work with MAHB to place more signs at the airport for the convenience of travellers to prepare their immigration documents.
Saifuddin said the ministry would also provide a help desk manned by immigration officers able to communicate in foreign languages to help travellers.
“Officers able to communicate in languages such as Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic will assist with entry and exit matters at international airports. They will be deployed immediately,” he said.
Tuesday, 4 July 2023
Ruslin! What happened on Monday (July 3, 2023) at KLIA’s immigration counters?
No News Is Bad News
Ruslin! What happened on Monday (July 3, 2023) at KLIA’s immigration counters?
KUALA LUMPUR, July 4, 2023: Finally Immigration Department Director-General Ruslin Jusoh is opening his mouth on alleged corruptions by his men in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last week.
The alleged corruptions were exposed by Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing who stormed KLIA to stop tourists from being detained without just cause.
Ruslin said the department would not protect any of its personnel suspected of corruption and integrity violations and was ready to take action at the departmental level based on existing legal provisions.
He added that the department and the Home Affairs Ministry would not compromise with officers found to be involved in corruption, whether it occurred in KLIA or any immigration office nationwide.
Ouch! Doesn’t that all sound familiar to Malaysians whenever a government department is embroiled in such allegations that exposes the lack of integrity and honesty.
May No News Is Bad News add that the shameless Ruslin not only is not taking responsibility for his men tarnishing the image of the country but is still putting up a brave front, as if all is fine and dandy.
Has Ruslin watched the video posted above? Would Ruslin care to explain what happened at KLIA on Monday July 3, 2023?
Were his men trying to send a message that “we are in charge, not the prime minister, minister or anyone else”?
The processing of passports was so slow that there was a massive queue or crowd, only seen in international airports of undeveloped and third world countries.
Ruslin, please explain what happened! Was there any valid reason for the ugly scene at the KLIA immigration counter or did his men intentionally create the delay to inconvenience and punish the public as a protest for ongoing graft probes against them?
The video has been uploaded on Facebook and two of the comments were:
Mohamad Shah Muhamad
sack all the officers there..
Reply1 h
Betty Kandavanam
Haul the Immigration Director and Home Minister.
Also, is the bombshell of a visual above authentic? It was posted on Facebook.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below updated news reports on the alleged corruption and also previous postings for readers’ reading convenience and reference:
MALAYSIA
We won’t protect any corrupt staff member, assures Immigration Dept
No compromise, DG says information regularly shared with MACC to aid investigation
Updated 2 hours ago · Published on 04 Jul 2023 7:19PM
Immigration Department Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh says the department is committed to improving its standard operating procedures to provide the best service to citizens and foreign visitors entering Malaysia. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes file pic, July 4, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – The Immigration Department will not protect any of its personnel suspected of corruption and integrity violations and is ready to take action at the departmental level based on existing legal provisions.
Immigration Department Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said this in reference to several local news reports on corruption allegations against several of the department’s staff.
“The Immigration Department and the Home Affairs Ministry will not compromise with any of our officers found to be involved in corruption, whether it occurs at (Kuala Lumpur) International Airport (KLIA) or any immigration office throughout the country.
“The department is leaving the investigation on the allegations entirely to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” he said in a statement today.
Ruslin said the department is always in contact, discussing and sharing information with the MACC to ensure that the investigation process could be carried out more transparently without any interference from outside parties.
Ruslin said the Immigration Department is also committed to improving its standard operating procedures to provide the best service to citizens and foreign visitors entering Malaysia.
Today, local media reported that there are agents asking for up to RM18,000 to approve the entry of foreign tourists who do not meet the entry requirements upon arrival at KLIA.
This finding was made by the MACC in the preliminary investigation regarding the commotion at the KLIA arrival hall involving the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and several immigration officers. – Bernama, July 4, 2023
KLIA incident shameful, unions’ ostrich mentality regrettable
Union leaders have a duty to the nation to help weed out corrupt civil servants.
Letter to the Editor - 04 Jul 2023, 8:45pm
From Walter Sandosam
News of recent events at KLIA involving a minister and certain immigration officers is indeed a most shameful and disgraceful episode which has tarnished the reputation of the country. This is irrespective of the outcome of any investigation to be carried out.
It brings us to the forefront again the stain of corruption on Malaysia, despite the country’s leaders repeatedly saying it will not be tolerated.
Malaysia’s standing on the Corruption Perceptions Index has been moving steadily south. Enforcement agencies and certain government departments, especially those with a high level of interaction with the public, have been identified as hotspots in the fight against corruption.
The immediate reaction of two public sector union heads is most regrettable. It appears that they have succumbed to the ostrich mentality of sticking their heads into the sand.
Corruption in the public sector needs to be addressed — and addressed speedily — given the negative image it casts not only on those who serve in the public sector but also the nation as a whole.
Union leaders should appreciate that they do not have a limited duty to only “protect” their members from allegations.
They also have a duty to the nation to help weed out the small percentage of corrupt civil servants who are tarnishing the image of a sizeable majority of civil servants who are far from corrupt.
This majority are, by all measures, executing their duties with due diligence and care to protect the assets of the nation.
The initial reaction by the unionists was to investigate the other party on “breach of SOPs and not following protocol”. The word “protocol” is the most irritating for the public to contend with.
On protocol, it was suggested to report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), conveniently forgetting it was reported that the minister was accompanied by officers from the ministry’s integrity unit.
Is truth being sacrificed in the name of protocol and bureaucracy?
The word “protocol” was used some months ago against MACC, and the attorney-general by default, in relation to an investigation in which these two institutions were involved as part of due process.
What is the crux of the matter here, especially when the transport minister has rubbished the comment that the action by the said minister was a security breach in entering a restricted area?
By virtue of holding a ministerial post, the said person had a “VIP” pass granting such access.
The president of Mata (Malaysian Tourism Agency Association) and other groups have come out in support to say that “corruption and victimisation” of tourists by immigration officers is not new.
The Mata president has further added that such misconduct had been highlighted to the authorities but “nothing has changed”.
This is “collateral” damage to the economy. Where were the unions? If untrue, action should have been taken on false accusations.
Let’s not abuse the use of the word “protocol” to protect self-interests, especially when it is used by public servants who are remunerated from public funds.
The union president is on record as having stated that “the union would not hesitate to lodge a police report if there was another incident”. Why such arrogance and intimidation by a civil servant — is this the norm?
Episodes on corruption and reactions by unions of such officers are not new.
This writer had served on MACC’s operations review panel, an independent oversight body, and has experienced the extent of the pushback on allegations of corruption against a customs officer in 2011.
This is a case of history repeating itself as it appears that the customs department and the national registration department are also now on the radar!
It is surprising that an ex-director of MACC, Bahrin Zin, was quoted as saying that tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King “Sing should have been arrested for obstructing a public servant from executing his duties”.
This, forgetting that there has been inaction despite industry players highlighting such “corruption” many times before.
One can surely realise that this was a case of alleged abuse of power (defined as corruption). If parties stood idly by, the “independence” of MACC would have been compromised.
So, let’s cut to the chase and focus on the facts.
Let’s not play the game of flexing muscles when situations like the KLIA incident arise by quoting SOPs and protocols as a smokescreen even before getting to grips with the facts of the incident.
Union heads should feel thoroughly embarrassed and expend efforts to rectify the collateral damage on their image and strive to serve with integrity. If you cannot help, get out of the way of those who can.
The minister, the chief secretary and MACC should investigate this incident thoroughly and take those involved to task, especially those who attribute this episode to “language misunderstandings”.
Walter Sandosam is a former MACC oversight panel member and an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Monday, 3 July 2023
Immigration clerk allegedly owns a RM6m Rolls-Royce Phantom?
No News Is Bad News
Can an immigration clerk, earning RM4,000 a month own a RM6m Rolls-Royce Phantom?
Immigration clerk allegedly owns a RM6m Rolls-Royce Phantom?
KUALA LUMPUR, July 3, 2023: No News Is Bad News wishes to hightlight (below) an article posted on the internet on the ongoing probe into allegations of Malaysia’s “corrupt” immigration department.
We have no way to verify the accuracy and authenticity of the posting but the Malaysian Corruption Commission (MACC) must take the posting seriously and investigate.
For the culprits to allegedly amass such wealth to afford such luxury cars is no mean feat.
If true, the corruption must have been in practice for quite some time. Is this the reason why some way the alleged corruption in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is just the tip of the iceberg?
No doubt Malaysians will wait with bated breath to see if the MACC can find the evidence and nab the culprits that may include immigration officers and Chinese nationals, as alleged in the posting.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below the posting that was dated June 26, 2023 and is now circulating in social media:
Published on June 26th, 2023 | by Sounder Rajen
Apparently An Immigration Clerk Earning Below RM4K A Month Owns A Rolls-Royce
This is how he owns a Rolls-Royce and other luxury cars with less than RM4,000 a month
So a grade 19 immigration officer was recently found to ‘own’ a collection of four luxury vehicles (including a Rolls-Royce Phantom) which is said to be worth around RM6 million. It is believed that he owned all these cars by way of illegal activities and misusing stamps at the country’s main gate but evidently. Let’s explore.
This strange yet somehow also oddly inspirational tale came to light after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers began investigating the immigration officer following 28 officers and executives in the Immigration department being arrested in Selangor and Johor since 6 June 2023.
Moreover, preliminary investigations found that the Immigration officer in question ‘owned’ a Ford Mustang, a Range Rover SUV, an Audi sedan and the aforementioned Rolls-Royce Phantom which were registered under the names of four immigration agents including two Chinese nationals who are foreign workers operating in Malaysia but the vehicles are kept by a local agent.
MACC Director of Investigation, Datuk Norazlan Mohd said, “It is surprising that a grade 19 immigration officer earning less than RM4,000 monthly can ‘own’ all these luxury vehicles. Our investigations found that the 31-year old (immigration officer) received these luxury vehicles in return for helping set up (most likely fraudulent) gates at our country’s main gate.”
On top of that, as of 16 June 2023, the MACC had already arrested 50 individuals including 28 immigration officers and executives, 17 foreign workers and 5 civilians who were believed to be middlemen, as well as up to RM800,000 and 26 luxury vehicles including 4 high-powered motorcycles along with houses, land and jewelry. More people may be arrested in the future.
Ford Mustang
This case is being investigated in accordance with Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 and the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Act 2001. It has also been reported that the MACC found cases of stamp misusing at the border from up to a year ago and arrested 46 individuals, 27 of whom, were immigration officers and executives.
This syndicate targets foreign workers and illegal immigrants mainly at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA2 by stamping passports on exit and entry to allow the visit visa to be extended without the owner being present for a confirmation fee as low as RM100. while foreigners who are blacklisted or whose visas have expired are charged a fee of RM500 to RM6,000 each to allow them to freely enter and return to their respective countries.
We got all this from Sengat Daily and their full article is linked here. Thank you Sengat Daily for the information.
Sunday, 2 July 2023
PM Anwar says immigration ops can be improved … is that so? Tell Malaysians something what they don’t already know!
No News Is Bad News
Not so great a photo-op to help boost the “corrupt” immigration image
PM Anwar says immigration ops can be improved … is that so? Tell Malaysians something what they don’t already know!
UPDATE: More details of the alleged corruption in KLIA and China is "hopping made"
BOMBSHELL – CHINA HOPPING MAD WITH ANWAR – AFTER MALAYSIA’S NOTORIOUSLY CORRUPT IMMIGRATION DEMANDED RM18,000 FROM A CHINESE TOURIST – IN RARE REBUKE & WARNING, CHINESE EMBASSY TELLS PUTRAJAYA ‘WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE & MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PROTECT THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS & INTERESTS OF CHINESE CITIZENS IN MALAYSIA’
Business, Politics | July 3, 2023 11:43 am by | 0 Comments
Everyone knows that Immigration Department of Malaysia is one of the most corrupted institutions in the country. Arguably, the corruption started to spread like wildfire during former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s 22 years iron-fist rule (from 1981 to 2003). Today, every single institution is still infected, even after 20 years since Mahathir’s retirement.
But the agency is now in hot soup after picking the wrong target. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing knew what to do after receiving a call for help from a staff member of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Guangzhou. As one of the many corrupt Member of Parliaments in the Mahathir administration, Mr Tiong knew it was a genuine case that needs damage control quickly.
He rushed to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in an attempt to help a traveller from China. However, the minister’s visit to KLIA’s Terminal 1 on Thursday (June 29) went viral after news portal Bebas News reported that he barged into the restricted zone without a permit to free a Chinese national. It gave an impression that Tiong had abused his authority trying to rescue a Chinese national.
As it turned out, not only all Cabinet members have security passes which allow them to enter restricted areas at the KLIA, but the pro-active action of the tourism minister has exposed how the notorious immigration department solicited bribery in broad daylight. It was not true that he had breached security protocols, let alone bullied the immigration into freeing the Chinese traveller.
In fact, Minister Tiong understood the protocols too well that the first thing he did was to contact the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Together with the officers of the anti-graft agency as well as auxiliary policemen and security personnel from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, the minister approached the immigration officers for explanations.
Apparently, a senior official of a Chinese government-owned TV station had arrived in Malaysia to pursue her PhD at a local university in Shah Alam and her personal assistant had accompanied her. However, while the senior official was allowed entry, her personal assistant was told there were discrepancies in her travel documents hence was detained.
It was a standard modus operandi by the Immigration Department to solicit money from foreign travellers. In order to gain entry, a “three-star” ranking immigration officer demanded RM3,000 bribes from the Chinese woman. Stunningly, the female tourist was also asked an additional RM3,000 if she wanted to return to the country of origin or re-enter Malaysia using a “special lane”, and RM12,000 for visa-processing fees.
Essentially, she needs to pay a whopping RM18,000 to gain entry into Malaysia as well as to return to China, without which she could be detained indefinitely – an intimidation and bullying tactic. Not only corruption has been committed, the cellphones of the women were seized by the immigration officers. Minister Tiong said – “What powers do they have to seize their phones?”
Hilariously, after being caught with its pants down, the immigration officers told the minister that the matter was a misunderstanding due to language barrier. Of course, it was a half-baked excuse that the corrupt agency will use whenever they are cornered. The tourism minister said – “The question is – why did they reject the translators provided by Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd (MAHB)?”
Worse, Mr Tiong revealed – “I also received information that some officers simply interpret the laws as they like when on the ground. The woman in question, for example, was not given sufficient food during detention, which is against the law.” Clearly, the immigration has perfected the art of soliciting, intimidating, suppressing and abusing victims in the corruption process.
Ultimately, the Chinese traveller was allowed entry after Tiong’s intervention, suggesting that not only the female tourist had a complete set of documentation from the beginning, the immigration department has been targeting foreigners, especially from China, to solicit bribes. Imagine if she was not from the influential Chinese TV station, which enabled them to quickly seek help from Beijing.
While Immigration Director-General Ruslin Jusoh said “a thorough investigation covering all aspects connected to the incident will be carried out”, it’s a public knowledge that corruptions in the agency started all the way from the top to the lowest ranking officers. How do we know that the director-general did not get his fair of share of the looting all along? After all, the rot starts at the top. - Malaysia Chronicle
ANWAR FORCED TO CLEAN UP UMNO’S CORRUPTION MESS – WITH SURPRISE VISIT TO IMMIGRATION DESK AT KLIA – AFTER UMNO RUSHES TO PLAY THE RACISM FLAG – IN BID TO DEFEND CORRUPT RENT-SEEKERS IN BOTH THE CIVIL SERVICE & AMONG POLITICIANS – EVEN AS MINISTER TIONG GETS READY TO FURNISH MACC WITH DETAILS OF GRAFT ALLEGATIONS
Business, Politics | July 3, 2023 11:13 am by | 0 Comments
P 217 Bintulu - Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing Parti GPS — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star
Out with the old, PM Anwar tells civil servants after corruption allegations against Immigration Dept
KUALA LUMPUR— In light of the recent allegations against the Immigration Department, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has advised civil servants to leave their “old ways” behind for the country to strive for excellence.
In his speech during a meeting with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department, he said that action must be taken against those who are involved in corruption.
“So that’s why we in the top leadership must see it for ourselves because we cannot assume that everything is alright.
“But the objective needs to be right, to improve, not to find wrong or to condemn or give a general impression.
“That is why I went there, and I decided to defend the integrity and the authority of the Immigration Department as a whole.
“But I also stressed that a small number still feel that they are comfortable with the ‘old ways’.
“We have to take action immediately and be uncompromising because it affects our careers, image as civil servants and the country as a whole,” he said.
Anwar’s comments came after he made a surprise visit to the Customs and Immigration officers of Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s (KLIA) Terminal 1 yesterday.
Despite discovering a few shortcomings during his visit to the airport, Anwar said that he is generally satisfied with the level of service but pointed out that such flaws must be addressed from time to time.
“Striving for excellence is not necessarily a new concept; it has always existed,” he added.
Previously, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing made headlines after apparently forcing his way into the arrival hall of KLIA’s Terminal 1 without a valid pass.
In response to the brickbats thrown at his minister, Anwar said the Cabinet will discuss the incident as well as the ensuing allegations made by Tiong on Wednesday.
On Friday, Tiong issued a statement explaining that he was at the arrival hall of KLIA’s Terminal 1 on a work visit and that he had a valid pass at that time.
The Bintulu MP also claimed to have been informed that Immigration officers had allegedly demanded RM3,000 from foreign tourists to secure their release from detention.
He further claimed that an additional RM3,000 was sought if the tourists wanted to return to their country of origin immediately using a “special lane”, along with RM12,000 as the cost for visa processing.
Separately, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed it had commenced investigations into the allegations of corruption involving Immigration officers as raised by Tiong.
Both Tiong and a Chinese national have been reportedly called to the national anti-graft body headquarters later today. MM
MACC to quiz Tiong tomorrow over KLIA corrupt practices
The head of the anti-corruption agency confirms the matter, a day after revealing that they were looking into the allegation.
Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing recently claimed that immigration officers were asking for as much as RM3,000 to release travellers they had detained. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Anti-corruption officers will meet Tiong King Sing tomorrow over his claims of corruption among immigration officers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the matter when contacted, the New Straits Times reported.
The meeting follows Azam’s statement yesterday that MACC would look into the allegation.
On Friday, Tiong, who is minister for tourism, arts and culture, alleged that a recent visit to KLIA had exposed a “culture of corruption by a few officials and the chronic abuse of power”.
He claimed immigration officers were asking for as much as RM3,000 to release travellers they had detained, with an additional RM3,000 to be paid if the traveller wanted to return to his home country immediately.
Tiong said he will provide MACC with details after he admitted to being at the centre of a commotion at the airport recently. FMT
MALAY MAIL / FREE MALAYSIA TODAY
KUALA LUMPUR, July 3, 2023: Does Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thinks he can fool all the people all the time?
That seems so when he “rushed” to the Immigration and Customs counters in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Sunday (July 2, 2023) and declared that Malaysia’s entry points can be improved.
Is that all he can do when the whole world is laughing at Malaysia’s “corrupt” immigration at KLIA?
Yes, he did say that a thorough investigation would be conducted and the matter brought up in the upcoming Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (July 5, 2023).
What next then? The usual infamous, No Further Action (NFA) or let time flies and the people will forget?
Now, the allegations against the immigration are serious as it came from Anwar’s Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing.
Anwar would have scored major political points if he had taken a more serious and tough stand - like suspending the immigration boss immediately for alleged incompetence.
How can the immigration boss not know what is happening at his counters when Tiong, air travellers and tourism industry players all know what is happening!
Damn it, Anwar. This is one corruption issue that will give you a BIG thumbs down and question the integrity of your Unity Government so-called fight against corruption fi you continue to "protect" the corrupt.
Read below the news that are going around the world, making Malaysia a laughing stock in corruption:
Operations at Malaysia’s entry points can be improved, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
His comments came after he made a surprise visit to the Immigration and Customs counters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2023
Mysterious Immigration Lane 41 at KLIA
The aviation industry had long been the platform this blog (originally ABITW) built its reputation. From issues relating to MAS, Khazanah Nasional, AirAsia, and Malaysia Airport to even attempts to delve into non-commercial aviation of military.
Naturally the recent happening at KLIA does not pass this blogger's attention. It does not require much effort to know which side is probably right, which is wrong, and whose the real culprit.
Off course, knowledge of the online and social media political game helps.
The moment it is known BebasNews was the news portal breaking and viraling the KLIA incident one can sense it is political and the sleight hands of Dr Mahathir and PN camp.
MOTAC Minister, Dato Tiong King Sing stormed into KLIA to salvage a situation in which Immigration denied entry for a female tourist from China. She had not committed any past offense that placed her in the NTL (not to land) list, but was denied.
The authorities may have their reasons or excuses, depending on one's siding for or against Immigration authorities but allegedly, an agent approached the tourist for payment of RM3,000 per person and totals up to RM18,000 for her entourage to "smoothen" her entry.
It is long known in the industry that tourists or visitors are victimised by Immigration. Those conceding to pay will be directed to queue at the infamous Lane 41 and all will be well.
According to tour operators and one disgusted tourism official, the smoothening rate for Lane 41 is about RM300 per visitor, but those on the NTL list can "bisa diatur" at the rate of RM3,000 to RM4,000 per visitor.
However, the lady tourist is no pushover and ain't a nobody.
The media reported her as a reporter but upon undergoing the ordeal of being detained for 15 hours, she relayed back to her superior back home.
The Malaysian Consulate in Guangzhao immediately notified Tiong who was Malaysia's former Special Ambassador to China.
Words is she is the Press Secretary to one Politburo member of the Communist Party of China. Tiong's swift reaction proves it is possible.
Clueless
The Youth Chief of UMNO, Akmal Muhammad Saleh had neither any inkling nor the common senses to appreciate the gravity of a wrongful decision to Malaysia-China relation.
Immigration can give all the excuses to put wool over the eyes of the Malaysian public and media.
One negative feedback to her superior could ruin Tiong's years of effort to woo back Chinese tourists and Malaysia's effort to revive its economy with trade and investment from China.
Stupidity has no cure.
Akmal's nasty words towards Tiong initially arise out of his personal prejudice against DAP to assume Sarawakian Tiong being Chinese as DAP member.
Tiong is but an integral part of the Sarawak coalition GPS which is important to the political equation to both the Unity Government and PN.
It is high time that young politicians learn to put aside narrow partisanship to prioritise national interest and upholding the good name of the country especially during national crisis.
Corruption is endemic in Malaysia and combating it should stand above decorum for Ministers and official formalities.
There is more than midst the eye and not ruling out Khairy Jamaluddin's compliment of Akmal and possible association with habitual party instigator, Hishamuddin Hussein as possible reasons.
Police is seldom accused as corrupt, but the public is unaware of the equally notorious, however more blatant and opaque agencies, such as Royal Customs and Immigration Department. In a research paper here, Immigration came second to PDRM.
Recently in early June, an investigtaion on 28 officers and executives of Immigration uncovered a grade 19 clerk owning luxury cars which include a Rolls Royce Phantom.
All one need to recall is the incident involving the Dato Mohd Shafiq in Abdullah, former Director General of Public Service Department and an Immigration Officer at KLIA to understand the cartel.
Upon getting scolded for ignoring service, Little Napolean of Immigration defended the officer by fabricate a lame excuse to accuse the KPPA as rude. Unfortunate for Shafiq that KSN used the opportunity for self preservation.
The same line of defense used against Minister Tiong. Swiftly done, an internal enquiry report was ready and viralled in a matter of days to cover-up the Lane 41 syndicate from blowing over.
Syndicate working within the walls of KLIA have been notoriously known by security authority and airport management executives.
Was told rabbit hole for illegal immigrants from China, Indonesia and Bangla Desh were operating in broad daylight in full view of airport executives and security.
During the first PH government, Chinese tourist in the hundreds of thousand were reported to have gonr missing.
According to local Chinese businessmen, Immigration were paid off to close one eye but unfortunately, DAP got the blame. All along Home Ministry came under the purview of Muhyiddin Yassin.
It was under Muhyiddin watch that 680 China Chinese were caught operating a scam from a building in Cyberjaya. There were 1,600 of them living in the whole condominium building with only an Italian family as the only non-Chinese.
Immigration claimed credit for the raid, but according to a source then, the illegal activities were operating under the protection of authorities.
Immigration preying on factories and commercial outfits have long been in existence and particularly rampant during the Muhyiddin's politically motivated lockdown.
Back in the 90s, Immigration could be paid to help local businessman squeeze deals from foreigners using threat of deportation.
So the manner Immigration is reacting to Tiong's allegation and spinning replies on sosmed are seriously suspicious.
Sabahkini2 questioned the management, KPISM and CUEPAC attempt to divert allegation of corruption as unconvincing since the rampant corruption in Immigration is an open secret.
It is glaring of Immigration intention of a rush job enquiry and Presiden of KPISM, Khairil Niza Khairuddin motivation to cover-up his colleague. It stands out like a sore thumb for Immigration not to suspend the suspected officer, Mr Y pending enquiry and investigation.
Perhaps it is beyond the Home Minister, Saifuddin Nasution knowledge, but Khairil Niza should be investigated by MACC as possible collaborator.
Calling for serious action
Since Anwar Ibrahim taken a keen interest into the matter and spotted Bangla entry without passport at KLIA, he should look into the fast track promotion of the Immigration DG from grade 48 to Jusa.
Apparently he was manouvred up by a fellow Kelantanis and late former Director in PMO's "Research Department".
No wonder the Immigration side of the story and the arrogant police report made against the Minister was viralled by PAS activist.
The same MO used against a whistleblower on the existence of illegal immigrants syndicate behind the dominance of foreign traders at Selayang wholesale market.
Having undergone through the ordeal, the former serviceman Aemirulzaki Rambali is supportive of Tiong.
So do Tiong's Sarawak political comrades in which East Malaysians are generally not satisfied with the porous border.
The long and short of the story, Government should get serious and take drastic action against Immigration.
Malaysia's ESG compliance could be adversely affected and there is economic consequences for any inaction. Madani in essense is ESG.
POSTED BY A VOICE AT 6:58 PM
3 COMMENTS:
Highly corrupted recalcitrants using religion at every opportunity & escaping. Shame on the enforcement agencies. Imagine if Party Ajaran Sesat comes into power.
What to comment. This has been the case for years. It will continue right or wrong.
SqaureOne said...
time to rein most , if not all of this duit kopi mentality - happening since the days of the British till today. No one is immune to it _ Money _ it's infectious
Operations at Malaysia’s entry points can be improved, says PM Anwar
A Chinese national claimed she was denied entry by Immigration officers at KLIA unless she paid a sum of money. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
UPDATED
JUL 2, 2023, 7:08 PM SGT
PETALING JAYA - Operations at Malaysia’s entry points can be improved,Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
His comments came after he made a surprise visit to the Immigration and Customs counters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
“I found there is room for improvement to strengthen operations at the country’s entry points,” he said.
Mr Anwar said he also took the opportunity to witness first-hand the issues or problems arising during daily operations involving tourists and foreigners as well as Malaysians.
In addition, he addressed a recent incident involving a Chinese tourist and allegations of corruption at KLIA.
Mr Anwar said a thorough investigation would be conducted and the matter brought up in the upcoming Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief comissioner Azam Baki said a probe will be launched into the incident.
“We will get information from all parties and investigate accordingly,” he said, adding that the public should not sensationalise or speculate on the matter.
An uproar erupted on Thursday when a Chinese national, who was detained on arrival at KLIA from Shenzhen, claimed she was denied entry by immigration officers unless she paid a sum of money.
Her travel companion, who is a senior official for a Chinese TV station, apparently did not face such a problem as she was cleared for entry.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing told The Star on Friday that he got a call from the Consulate General of Malaysia in Guangzhou about the predicament the woman was facing.
He went to KLIA that day when he was told by immigration officers that there had been a misunderstanding due to a language barrier.
In a statement later, Mr Tiong said the woman was given food only once throughout the 15 hours that she was detained.
According to the minister, the woman said an official at the airport had told her she could be released if she paid an RM18,000 (S$5,200) entry fee – RM3,000 to be released, in addition to RM3,000 for “re-entry” and RM12,000 for a “visa-processing fee”.
“I feel it is time that the MACC enter KLIA in a big way to investigate what transpired at the country’s main entry point,” he said.
He said the women, believed to be in their 40s, also had their cellphones seized by immigration officers.
“What powers do they have to seize their phones? It was their first trip to Malaysia. The two women told me they had never encountered such problems in other countries,” said the lawmaker for Bintulu in Sarawak.
“They are appalled by the incident, which has caused them great embarrassment. They have recorded all the conversations that transpired with airport officials and intended to expose their unpleasant experience when they returned to China.”
He said the woman was later allowed to enter the country after he intervened.
Mr Tiong’s office said on Saturday the minister would not comment further to allow other authorities to investigate the matter.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said on Friday that an investigation had begun to find out “all aspects” of the incident.
The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia said on Friday that it would make every effort to ensure the rights and interests of its citizens are protected while they are on Malaysian soil.
It said it was investigating media reports about the problem faced by a Chinese national at KLIA.
A Malaysian news portal on Thursday night reported that a minister had “barged” into the arrival hall at KLIA, and created a commotion in an attempt to “free” a Chinese national who had been barred entry, while also alleging that the minister had entered the restricted zone at the airport without a permit or pass.
In Seremban on Saturday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he had received a report from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) that cleared up the controversy involving the pass.
“MAHB has confirmed that the minister was at the airport, accompanied by auxiliary policemen and MAHB security personnel,” he said, adding that ministers have VIP passes to enter security areas at KLIA.
“As far as the security pass is concerned, there is no issue here as he can access the area,” he said.
He said ministers were allowed to access security areas even if they were not boarding a flight.
“As long as we (ministers) are there for official work, we can enter the area,” Mr Loke told reporters. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Most immigration staff at KLIA doing their jobs well, says PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says, however, there is a ‘small group’ of officers at the airport who persist with ‘the old system and practices’.
Lynelle Tham - 03 Jul 2023, 10:17am
On his surprise visit to KLIA Terminal 1 last night, Anwar Ibrahim said top officials should go to the ground but only to improve the situation, not to find faults or pass judgement. (Facebook pic)
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of the immigration staff at KLIA Terminal 1 during his surprise visit yesterday.
Anwar said the majority of officers at the airport carried out their duties well, but noted the existence of a “small group” of officers who still persist with “the old system and practices”.
“I believe this (issue) comes under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take the appropriate action,” he said at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly here.
Anwar’s visit to Terminal 1 yesterday comes amid reports of allegations of “corruption and abuse of power” that were made by tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing after an incident in which he entered the international arrival hall to help a Chinese national who was denied entry into the country.
In his speech, Anwar also stressed the importance of top officials going down to the ground to witness the situation firsthand.
“However, the purpose of doing so should be conducted to improve the situation, and not to find faults or pass judgement,” he said.
“With that in mind, I paid a visit to KLIA (Terminal 1) yesterday to defend the integrity and the authority of the immigration department as a whole”.
'Enough is enough', Tiong calls on Home Minister to end alleged corrupt practices at KLIA
By Dawn Chan - July 1, 2023 @ 11:20am
Datuk Tiong King Sing says MACC should enter KLIA in full force to probe what is happening at the major entry point. - NSTP file pic
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing called on Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to end the alleged "culture of corruption" of the Immigration Department with foreign arrivals at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
He claimed his advice to the Immigration officers had fallen on deaf ears, after several alleged bribery cases were highlighted to him in the past.
"I have already told them many times. Do not do it anymore. I said enough is enough. But I do not know...
"This is a longstanding issue. The Home Ministry, under the leadership of its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, should do something about this for the sake of country's image.
"I will leave it to them to investigate," Tiong told the New Straits Times today, referring to the ministry and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Tiong had said the MACC should enter KLIA in full force to probe what is happening at the major entry point.
Tiong had yesterday said he was glad his presence at KLIA had exposed the "culture of corruption" involving some Immigration officers and a 'chronic' abuse of power.
He said he wanted to tackle the issue practically but since the matter had gone viral on social media, it was only right that he came forward to tell it all.
The Bintulu member of parliament claimed that some Immigration officers would demand from tourists up to RM3,000 to be freed from detention and given a flight ticket home.
He alleged that another RM3,000 will be asked if the tourist wanted to return home immediately via a 'special lane' while RM12,000 will be demanded for visa processing costs.
He said all of the information on alleged corrupt practices will be handed over to the MACC to investigate.
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