Image credit: NST
KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SME Malaysia) has received complaints lodged by foreign companies against the Immigration Department at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
SME Malaysia president Ding Hong Sing said many investors and entrepreneurs abroad claimed that the Immigration authorities arbitrarily detained them and their employees.
"Their smartphones are confiscated and they are told to contact the employer to pay the middleman to be released.
"There are also cases where workers have remained detained for several days even though a return ticket to their country of origin has been purchased.
"This resulted in foreign companies that have employees who are constantly commuting between Malaysia and their country of origin to find an agent and pay for 'convenience'," he said in a statement.
Lauding the move by a Cabinet minister to expose corruption cases by the immigration officers at KLIA, he urged the government to address the issue seriously.
On June 30, a portal reported that a commotion occurred at KLIA when a minister allegedly barged into the international arrival hall to "rescue" a Chinese national, who was detained by immigration officers upon entering Malaysia.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing confirmed that he was the minister involved but denied that he was there to demand that the authorities release the female Chinese traveller.
He claimed that there was a "culture of corruption" within the Immigration Department's handling of arrivals of foreign visitors at the KLIA.
In a four-minute and 29-second video posted on his Facebook page, Tiong said he was told by the traveller that she was allegedly asked by a "three-star" ranking officer when she was going to pay up.
Tiong said the officer had asked the woman for RM3,000, which would enable her immediate release, another RM3,000 for her next re-entry into Malaysia and RM12,000 for visa-processing fees.
Earlier today, MACC confirmed recording three statements, including Tiong yesterday.
"SME Malaysia believes that the behaviour of a few immigration officers is not only damaging to the country's image but will make Malaysia seen as less attractive and less competitive when compared to our neighbouring countries.
"This issue affects Malaysia as an investment destination among nations and will impact the economy," Ding said.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/07/927117/sme-malaysia-gets-complaints-foreign-companies-against-immigration