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.
No comments:
Post a Comment