Fix Immigration first, say trade and travel associations

10 July 2023

Trade and travel associations believe that while stationing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) would help deter corruption, it is a temporary fix at best, and a long-term solution is still needed.

They believed that although it was a step in the right direction, the core issue involved the conduct of the authorities at the airport, which needed to be addressed.

Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SME Malaysia) national secretary-general Chin Chee Seong cited a foreign businessman’s complaint about the heavy-handed treatment by Immigration Department officers at the airport during his visit last month.

He said the businessman from China alleged that despite having all necessary documents, he was isolated in a holding room for hours.

The businessman, claimed Chin, was a frequent traveller to Malaysia and was no stranger to the documentation needed to enter the country.

“He was placed in a room and no questions were asked, just because he cannot speak the language. He had already produced all the papers, as he did when flying here on numerous occasions, but was still detained by Immigration personnel at the airport before being released two hours later.

“These are the kinds of issues the investors and business people face when coming to our country.

“Yes, placing MACC officers is good, but we must fix what is broken first. The government must improve the Immigration Department’s services,” he told the New Straits Times.

Chin said frequent spot checks would be a more efficient use of manpower and would keep everyone on their toes.

The Immigration Department, he added, should also utilise technology such as cameras to monitor the entry and exit points when dealing with travellers.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said having integrity officers to oversee the situation could restore confidence among the public and travellers.

He said it was paramount to have checks and balances from an external agency to prevent extortion or victimisation of travellers.

The standard operating procedures at all entry points in the country, said Tan, should also be reviewed to ensure that they were on a par with global standards.

“For example, we need visa centres that approve applications before they travel, instead of giving visitors a challenging time when they arrive here.

“(But) at least we are moving forward and the government is showing concern over the allegations,” he said.

The Malaysian Corruption Watch (MCW) called for a holistic and continuous approach in dealing with the issue, including strict law enforcement, increasing human resources and use of the latest technology in surveillance and monitoring, as well as educating and creating awareness among the community.

It said a frequent rotation of Immigration officers could also be implemented to avoid the long-term effects of malpractice or corruption.

“It is important to remember that the solution to this long-standing problem cannot be achieved with a single step or action.

“It requires sustained effort, a comprehensive overall approach, and multi-stakeholder collaboration and involvement,” it said.

Source: www.nst.com.my

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