JOHOR BARU: The Johor Immigration Department followed strict procedures in detaining a Singaporean woman at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) checkpoint here, on Aug 7.
A senior Immigration officer added that the officers involved had acted professionally and in accordance with established standard operating procedures, under Section 51 (1) (g) of the Immigration Act (Act 155).
Under the act, the department is allowed to hold a person in custody for 14 days to complete their investigations.
The 36-year-old had allegedly argued with an Immigration officer, had defied instructions not to film inside the restricted area, and had used offensive language while making her way into Johor, via the Customs Immigration and Quarantine Complex, at BSI.
It is learnt that the investigation into the woman's alleged violations was completed within six days and submitted to the deputy public prosecutor's office for further action.
However, the department was advised to release her with a stern warning.
The source revealed that while in detention, the woman was treated well, and was placed in a cell with two foreign women who were in custody for other immigration-related offences.
"There were no threats made against her, and the detainee cooperated with the investigations," the source said, when contacted today.
The Singaporean – Atalia Chua – claimed that the Immigration officer stationed at the CIQ, became aggressive after she asked him why another person was able to use a counter, which he claimed, was closed.
She alleged the situation became heated after she started recording him on her mobile phone, which ended up with her being detained.