KUALA LUMPUR – A special parliamentary committee has mooted some changes to standard operating procedures for the Immigration Department, such as body cameras for its frontliners and regular changes of officers at the nation’s entry points.
The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform (JKPK) chairman, William Leong Jee Keen, said there were also recommendations for the department to change its ways of enforcement, especially with regards to refusing entry to tourists and visitors to Malaysia.
“Visitors no longer carry physical return tickets, and passengers should not be required to show the amount of cash on them because much of this can be accessed and is contained in smartphones. They would also not need to necessarily show the address of a hotel for accommodation due to the existence of things such as AirBnB.”
“So we’ve asked the Immigration Department to adapt to the ever changing ways of travelling for tourists and those coming into Malaysia.”
He also said that the committee suggested that the smartphones of tourists and visitors should not be confiscated if they are detained for questioning by immigration officers.
Leong, who is Selayang MP, said this during a press conference in Parliament today following the second proceedings held by the JKPK.
He said the meeting discussed procedures for handling “Not to Land” notices, which allows the refusal of entry for those suspected of immigration offences.
Also present was committee member, Khoo Poay Tiong, who is the MP for Kota Melaka.
Khoo said the suggestions came in the wake of alleged bribery cases involving the department, which were raised by Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, following a controversial visit to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last year.
“We (the committee) have proposed to the Immigration Department to change their officers (at the entry points) every three to six months. This is for greater transparency and accountability.”
“We have also asked all immigration officers in KLIA who are in direct contact with tourists or those entering Malaysia to wear body cameras to avoid all of these matters (related to graft).”
Meanwhile, Home Ministry, Immigration Department and Tourism Ministry representatives have also been summoned to explain the factors contributing to overstaying by foreign tourists and measures to tackle the issue.
The chairman of the Special Select Committee on security for the investigation of overstaying by foreign tourists in Malaysia, Datuk Jonathan Yasin, said this in a statement today.
He said the representatives have been requested to brief the committee on the procedures and monitoring of the activities of unregistered tourism agents that might lead to the overstaying issue.
“The committee views the overstaying issue by foreign tourists as something that cannot be ignored. Their presence, which cannot be traced or monitored, raises questions about their activities, potentially disrupting society’s security and harmony.
“In addition to addressing concerns related to the issue, this proceeding has also provided an opportunity for the committee to review the procedures carried out by the Immigration Department at the entry points into the country, as well as by the Tourism Ministry to control the activities of unregistered tourism agents.
“They bring tourists into Malaysia and also contribute to the number of tourists overstaying in the country,” he said, adding that the committee is committed to playing a role as a checks and balances mechanism to the executive body. – March 27, 2024