KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Immigration Department’s top official has ended on the receiving end of criticism after he posted a tweet from Portugal that appeared to mock complaints about long queues back home.
The department’s director-general, Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, posted a selfie of himself standing in line inside Lisbon Airport, supposedly for the three-day World Border Security Congress.
“Hundreds of people in the queue, nobody complaint (sic),” he wrote.
At Lisbon Airport Portugal, for a 3-day conference on World Border Security. Hundreds of people in the queue, nobody complaint. pic.twitter.com/DCvCxdJJub
— Khairul Dzaimee Daud (@Dzaimee) May 15, 2022
His tweet appeared to take a swipe at grouses of long lines and waiting times at the immigration office in the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) complex here recently.
Two reporters from The Vibes who went to check on the long lines were harassed and intimidated by guards on duty at the UTC.
The verbal onslaught came about when security guards on duty refused to allow the two reporters to speak to people who had been waiting in line for several hours without been given proper explanations for the delay.
“Hopefully there are no immigration officers who will complain if their food arrives late, or if their bus, LRT, or flights are delayed. Or even when NinjaVan hoards items at the warehouse,” said one user sarcastically.
Harap² tiada warga imigresen yang komplen bila makanan yang diorder lambat sampai, bas/LRT/flight delay, Ninjavan peram barang kat warehouse.
— King.Of.Siam. (@me_siam) May 16, 2022
“Sometimes, your joke is not funny at all,” said one user bluntly.
Sometimes, your joke is not funny at all. It’s been a pure luck for you to become what you’re now ?
— The healthiest response to life is joy. (@MarilynSkinhd) May 16, 2022
Another user appeared to chide Dzaimee’s department for the supposedly partial conduct.
“Maybe because all other things are transparent, like here where we have to put up with so many challenges,” one user replied.
Maybe because all other things are transparent not like here where we have to put up to so many challenges.
— ema (@KucinSuzzy) May 16, 2022
One user even challenged the director-general to speak to those who were in line to find out how they really felt about waiting.
“Did you talk to them or just assume? If there is a weakness, fix it. Denial alone is useless. It will only serve to self-destruct,” read the tweet.
Dzaimee’s more recent tweets also allude to him seeing the incident as being blown out of proportion.
“All complaints are accepted with a positive mindset as feedback, but not for baseless verbal attacks,” read his latest tweet.
Semua komplain diterima dgn fikiran positive sebagai ‘feedback’, tetapi bukan cercaan tanpa fakta. https://t.co/ov3Gnn350l
— Khairul Dzaimee Daud (@Dzaimee) May 16, 2022
Earlier today, city police confirmed that Saturday’s incident would be investigated under the Penal Code after initially being deemed as devoid of criminal elements. – The Vibes, May 16, 2022