JOHOR BARU – The Selangor Immigration Department’s move to enforce letters of guarantee (LG) against vessels in marine ports have been described as an illogical step.
Maritime Network Sdn Bhd chief executive Datuk Seri R. Jeyendran said the enforcement of the LG’s does not only place burdens on logistics companies but on sailors as well.
According to Jeyendran, the order by the Immigration Department would also make the process of docking an intricate matter, given that the involvement of a commissioner of oaths is required.
“Following the order, agents can make an LG request at the port as soon as the arriving vessel is reported to the Immigration Department.
“They also need to obtain validation from a commissioner of oaths for the passports from all crew members,” he told Getaran.
Jeyendran added that the move complicates matters further, as agents have to chase after a commissioner of oaths every time a ship docks at port.
“Isn’t the passport copy of the crew enough? Did the Immigration Department forget that a commissioner of oaths isn’t someone responsible for validating passports?
“This order defies logic,” he said.
Jeyendran also queried how a commissioner of oaths is able to perform validation of the passports without the presence of the crew.
Explaining that he does not intend to point fingers, Jeyendran clarifies that the enforcement of laws with such intricacies would only tarnish the Immigration Department’s reputation.
“I understand the Immigration Department merely wants to increase security in the maritime sector, but trust me, this isn’t the way.
“Such rules can only be effective with the presence of the seamen with their passports, not by submitting copies to a commissioner of oaths,” he added.
“As a logistics agent with over 30 years of experience, I never encountered problems with the rules before this.
“If the validation of passport copies were done by the Immigration Department themselves, it wouldn’t be an issue. There’s no need to involve a commissioner of oaths,” he said. – The Vibes, January 21, 2023
