KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing called on Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to end the alleged "culture of corruption" of the Immigration Department with foreign arrivals at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
He claimed his advice to the Immigration officers had fallen on deaf ears, after several alleged bribery cases were highlighted to him in the past.
"I have already told them many times. Do not do it anymore. I said enough is enough. But I do not know...
"This is a longstanding issue. The Home Ministry, under the leadership of its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, should do something about this for the sake of country's image.
"I will leave it to them to investigate," Tiong told the New Straits Times today, referring to the ministry and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Tiong had said the MACC should enter KLIA in full force to probe what is happening at the major entry point.
Tiong had yesterday said he was glad his presence at KLIA had exposed the "culture of corruption" involving some Immigration officers and a 'chronic' abuse of power.
He said he wanted to tackle the issue practically but since the matter had gone viral on social media, it was only right that he came forward to tell it all.
The Bintulu member of parliament claimed that some Immigration officers would demand from tourists up to RM3,000 to be freed from detention and given a flight ticket home.
He alleged that another RM3,000 will be asked if the tourist wanted to return home immediately via a 'special lane' while RM12,000 will be demanded for visa processing costs.
He said all of the information on alleged corrupt practices will be handed over to the MACC to investigate.