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MACC, Immigration Dept to meet within a month on counter setting

PETALING JAYA: A discussion between the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Immigration Department on counter setting at Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminals is expected to take place within a month.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said there needed to be cooperation between the two agencies to improve the department and ensure airport counters were handled satisfactorily.

"I expect the meeting with the newly appointed director-general, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, will happen within a month.

"He has just assumed the role, so let's give him the space to review the department, not just the counter-setting issues.

"I have met him at my office, where we discussed various matters. I am anticipating the next meeting to address the current situation and explore how MACC can collaborate with them," he said after the recording of the 'Soal Rakyat' programme at Sri Pentas today.

Azam said the proposal to discuss issues within the Immigration Department had received Zakaria's approval.

"He agrees that collaboration between the agencies is necessary to improve the department. I believe the department will have a new image moving forward, and counters will be handled more satisfactorily for the public," he said.

On regular monitoring to combat counter setting, Azam said MACC conducted regular monitoring at airports, involving all enforcement agencies.

"This monitoring involves not only the Immigration Department, but other enforcement agencies as well."

Previously, Azam suggested that Immigration Department officers at entry points should not have access to their mobile phones.

This followed investigations revealing that officers involved in counter setting at KLIA Terminal 1 and KLIA2 Terminal 2 were receiving information via WhatsApp from agents about the arrival of certain foreign nationals.

According to MACC, syndicates had reportedly bribed Immigration officers to allow foreigners, particularly from Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, to enter the country by issuing tourist visas without following proper protocols.

Counter setting refers to the act of allowing foreigners to enter the country without proper inspection by directing them through designated or predetermined lanes at immigration entry points.

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