KUALA LUMPUR – The immigration officer who was involved in an argument with a passport applicant in an incident at the Anggerik Mall Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) recently has been transferred to another division.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the department viewed the matter seriously and that the officer involved did not act in accordance with its “Integrity, Professional, Friendly” slogan, despite being provoked by a member of the public.
“Apart from this, it is admittedly inappropriate for a public servant such as an immigration officer to raise their voices and utter harsh words towards members of the public,” he said in a statement today.
“Immigration officers must be apt in controlling themselves and must take on a professional approach when faced with verbal provocations from the public as they have been given the appropriate training and guidance.”
Khairul said the department has transferred the officer to another division and that an investigation paper would be opened by the Integrity Unit.
He added that the department had regretted the provocative actions of the passport applicant as it had made various methods of applying for the document available, including online platforms and the extension of operating hours even on weekends.
“Therefore, the department wishes to remind the public to constantly refer to its website for the latest information.
“The department also wishes to stress that it will not compromise with any officer who is unprofessional, and at the same time it will take appropriate action against any party that wishes to taint the image and credibility of the department.”
A man in his 50s lodged a police report after being chastised by immigration officers while applying for a passport with his son at the UTC branch recently.
A copy of his report and a 26-second video clip were widely shared on social media, mostly detailing how the man was disappointed by the long wait and subsequent arguments with the officers on duty.
According to the report, the man went to the immigration office in Kuala Selangor as it was close to his home in Puncak Alam, but it had issues with its online system – so he went to Anggerik Mall UTC.
“After waiting for at least four hours, I asked a supervising officer why my number wasn’t called, but he argued that I did not go to the counter.”
The man was dissatisfied with the response, leading him to kick a metal pole, saying he was being played and made a fool.
Following the incident, the man said a woman officer manning counter five shouted and swore at him and banged the table.
“She shooed me out of the office and warned me to not bring my family here. I recorded the incident.”
In the viral video, the man could be heard saying, “You are rude to me, you play games with me, no problem... I have recorded everything.”
This was followed by the woman officer responding with “Hey, who’s wrong? No manners. Get out. Eh, record it, stupid!”
The man also said that the immigration office in question did not put up a notice that only 200 numbers were given out daily to customers.
Shah Alam police chief Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said the complainant made a report and it has been referred to the Immigration Department and the Home Ministry as there was no element of crime. – The Vibes, August 21, 2022
