KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed phone ban for immigration officers on duty is a crucial step towards curbing corruption and enforcing compliance in the department.
Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Dr Muhammad Mohan said that weaknesses must first be corrected before new controls are implemented, following the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) recommendations.
"There were about seven recommendations made by the MACC to address the gaps and weaknesses in the Immigration Department," Mohan told the New Straits Times' podcast, Beyond the Headlines.
One such recommendation by MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki is to ban immigration officers from using mobile phones on duty, following the uncovering of a syndicate smuggling foreigners into the country.
The operation, known as "counter setting," led to the arrest of 49 officers, including a policeman, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Mohan added that standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be updated to include these new controls.
In addition to the phone ban, he said installing CCTV cameras at critical checkpoints must also be done, with both visual and audio recordings monitored remotely.
"This would act as a deterrent to officers involved in illegal activities, such as bringing in undocumented persons," he said.
He also called for the digitalisation of the immigration process, where foreigners submit documents online before entry, minimising human interaction.
"An automated system verifying documents would significantly reduce opportunities for bribery," he added.
Mohan welcomed the appointment of Datuk Zakaria Shaaban as the new Immigration director-general (DG), calling it timely and crucial for the department's reform.
He said that the DG must be bold in implementing these changes, even in the face of internal resistance.
"This is a national security issue. It's worth investing in a thorough audit to ensure all gaps are identified and closed," he said, adding that strong leadership is needed to clean up the department.