PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department has conducted 277 inspections at various entry points into the country since last year.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the department would not compromise with any officers who break the law or fail to adhere to standard operating procedures.
"We support the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and will give our full cooperation in their investigations.
"In the meantime, we want to ensure that our personnel on duty work with integrity," he told reporters at the Immigration Department headquarters on Monday.
He said one of the ways they ensured this was to conduct constant spot-checks and inspections.
"For the record, we have conducted 277 inspections at various entry points since last year.
"The inspections are to ensure that our personnel follow the procedures and do not act above the law," Ruslin said.
He added that disciplinary actions and transfers would be enforced for those who break the rules, and said officers should not remain in sensitive posts for extended periods.
"There was a time when officers would be on duty at their designated posts for five years and three years if it is in a sensitive area.
"If the need arises I will shorten it to one year," he said, adding that rotations and reshuffles would be ongoing.
The rotations involved those on duty at the main entry points such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Penang International Airport, Sultan Abu Bakar Complex and Sultan Iskandar Building, as well as Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Ruslin explained that this move aimed to prevent "counter-setting" scenarios.
It was reported that another seven people have been arrested by the MACC over suspicion of colluding with a syndicate to smuggle foreigners through KLIA.
The seven involved three Immigration Department officers, one policeman and two agents.
On Aug 21, MACC dismantled a syndicate responsible for smuggling foreign nationals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and Nepal into Malaysia through unofficial entry points.
This operation allegedly involved several enforcement officers who acted as informants, facilitating entry for these individuals without following required inspection procedures.
Foreign nationals are supposed to comply with Immigration Circular No. 4, 2021, which mandates presenting a valid passport or documentation, holding a visa, having a valid return ticket, possessing sufficient funds for their stay, and providing accommodation details.
However, these requirements were bypassed through the special counters used by the syndicate.