KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Aug 2008: Immigration officers who have served more than three years in a division or unit of the department will be transferred to another division or unit in an effort to prevent corruption, misappropriation and abuse of power.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said all Immigration Department officers were also required to update their personal records and declare their assets.
"Besides that, all appeals for extension will be brought to the Appeals Special Committee chaired by the Immigration director-general on a daily basis to ensure transparency in decision making," he said in his written reply to a question from Teresa Kok Suh Sim (DAP-Seputeh) in the Dewan Rakyat, here today.
Kok wanted to know the ministry’s action to check corruption and abuse of power among high-ranking Immigration officials with regard to approval of work permits for foreign workers. This follows the Anti-Corruption Agency’s investigations into alleged corruption involving the department’s director-general and deputy director-general.
On overcoming problems involving agents or middlemen, Syed Hamid said the Immigration Department had stationed its officers at its lobby to act as guest relations officers.
"These officers will direct customers to the right counter or unit in line with the government’s ‘No Wrong Door Policy’," he added.
Syed Hamid said the department was also studying all its work processes and procedures to make these more transparent. – Bernama
