Anwar: JPN & Immigration Dept Staff Under Probe For Demanding Money For Citizenship Certs
According to the Prime Minister, there is "a small group" of personnel with the Immigration Department who are still used to the "old system and practices", suggesting that there is corruption among civil servants.
By Sadho Ram — 04 Jul 2023, 01:13 PM — Updated about 1 year ago
A handful of National Registration Department (JPN) staff are being investigated for suspected involvement in corruption and abuse of power, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Along with the JPN staff, some Immigration Department of Malaysia personnel are also being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), he said, as reported by New Straits Times.
Anwar, who made a surprise visit to the Customs and Immigration officers of KLIA Terminal 1, revealed this while speaking about the importance of civil servants in upholding the dignity of the nation.
The Prime Minister advised civil servants to leave their "old ways" behind for the country to strive for excellence and noted 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 (to KLIA Terminal 1), and I decided to defend the integrity and the authority of the Immigration Department as a whole," Malay Mail quoted him as saying, adding, "But I also stressed that a small number still feel that they are comfortable with the 'old ways'."
According to the Prime Minister, he received information on abuse of power among employees of JPN, who allegedly demanded money from eligible applicants to issue them certificates of citizenship
"The case may be under investigation at JPN," he said.
"We should be facilitating the process for people who are eligible to be the country's citizens and other things. However, these eligible applicants were imposed with another round of payment in order for them to obtain such a certificate," he added in his speech at the Prime Minister's Department's monthly assembly.
Anwar said that he discovered the matter when he conducted the surprise visit.
"I believe such a matter falls under the jurisdiction of MACC to investigate immediately. I do not want some rotten apple to spoil others in the department," he was quoted as saying.
Anwar (centre) speaks during a meeting with staff of the Prime Minister's Department.
Image via @bernamadotcom (Twitter)Anwar's revelation comes amidst Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing's allegations after he reportedly forced his way into the arrival hall of KLIA Terminal 1 without a valid pass
Last week, Tiong was alleged to have abused his power to help a Chinese national, who was detained by the authorities, by barging into the arrival hall of KLIA Terminal 1.
Tiong later issued a statement explaining that he was at the arrival hall of KLIA Terminal 1 on a working visit and that he had a valid pass at that time. He also claimed to have been informed that immigration officers had allegedly demanded RM3,000 from foreign tourists to secure their release from detention.
Following which, MACC has confirmed that it has commenced investigations into the allegations of corruption involving immigration officers as raised by Tiong, reported Malay Mail.
