In his speech during a meeting with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department, he said 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, and I decided to defend the integrity and the authority of the Immigration Department as a whole.

“But I also stressed that a small number still feel that they are comfortable with the ‘old ways’.

“We have to take action immediately and be uncompromising because it affects our careers, image as civil servants and the country as a whole,” he said.

Anwar’s comments came after he made a surprise visit to the Customs and Immigration officers of Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s (KLIA) Terminal 1 yesterday.

Despite discovering a few shortcomings during his visit to the airport, Anwar said that he is generally satisfied with the level of service but pointed out that such flaws must be addressed from time to time.

“Striving for excellence is not necessarily a new concept; it has always existed,” he added.

Previously, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing made headlines after apparently forcing his way into the arrival hall of KLIA’s Terminal 1 without a valid pass.

So before mInister Tiong's drama, MACC had no clue about immi officials corrupt actions?
This is so bizarre https://t.co/UzCb7dqc6S

— Cynthia Gabriel (@cynthia_gabriel) July 2, 2023

In response to the brickbats thrown at his minister, Anwar said the Cabinet will discuss the incident as well as the ensuing allegations made by Tiong on Wednesday.

On Friday, Tiong issued a statement explaining that he was at the arrival hall of KLIA’s Terminal 1 on a work visit and that he had a valid pass at that time.

The Bintulu MP also claimed to have been informed that Immigration officers had allegedly demanded RM3,000 from foreign tourists to secure their release from detention.

He further claimed that an additional RM3,000 was sought if the tourists wanted to return to their country of origin immediately using a “special lane”, along with RM12,000 as the cost for visa processing.

Separately, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed it had commenced investigations into the allegations of corruption involving Immigration officers as raised by Tiong.

Both Tiong and a Chinese national have been reportedly called to the national anti-graft body headquarters later today. MM

MACC to quiz Tiong tomorrow over KLIA corrupt practices

The head of the anti-corruption agency confirms the matter, a day after revealing that they were looking into the allegation.

Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing recently claimed that immigration officers were asking for as much as RM3,000 to release travellers they had detained. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Anti-corruption officers will meet Tiong King Sing tomorrow over his claims of corruption among immigration officers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the matter when contacted, the New Straits Times reported.

The meeting follows Azam’s statement yesterday that MACC would look into the allegation.

On Friday, Tiong, who is minister for tourism, arts and culture, alleged that a recent visit to KLIA had exposed a “culture of corruption by a few officials and the chronic abuse of power”.

He claimed immigration officers were asking for as much as RM3,000 to release travellers they had detained, with an additional RM3,000 to be paid if the traveller wanted to return to his home country immediately.

Tiong said he will provide MACC with details after he admitted to being at the centre of a commotion at the airport recently. FMT

MALAY MAIL / FREE MALAYSIA TODAY