KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has outlined additional measures to combat counter setting crimes, which have involved some of its own officers.
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.
The new measures include the formation of a monitoring team to conduct random checks on staff at counters and foreign travellers, as well as the installation of automatic gates (autogates) at all manual Immigration counters at the country's main entry points.
Additionally, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems will be installed in every cubicle at the department's offices at main entry points to facilitate the monitoring of immigration officers on duty.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said these efforts are part of improving entry inspection systems and addressing counter setting crimes.
"A new system at the country's entry points must be implemented soon, along with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe), valued at RM1.2 billion, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2026," he said.
He acknowledged that leniency in the management system at entry points had been exploited by certain parties, including insiders, resulting in counter setting crimes that pose a security threat due to unrecorded foreign entries.
"Counter setting crimes have been detected at other entry points, including Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah and Rantau Panjang in Kelantan, although the number of cases is small and not publicized," he said.
Hoping that the new system using digital technology will help curb this syndicate, Zakaria explained that installing autogates at all manual counters would reduce officers' discretion, which currently allows travellers to pass without being recorded.
"Officers have full control; they can allow travellers to enter without records because the manual gates are opened by the officers. This is the modus operandi of counter setting, so the effective way to reduce this is by minimizing discretion through automatic gates," he said.
"The gates will only open after all foreign nationals' information is scanned onto the autogate screen. If the information is recorded in the system, it will be easy to detect individuals with criminal records or other issues. Those who choose manual counters usually have specific cases," he added.
Zakaria also mentioned that CCTV installation in all immigration cubicles, which has been implemented at Kota Kinabalu International Airport for the past two years, will be expanded to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
"It is now in the procurement process. While waiting for the installation of the new system and the technology upgrade, we will place monitoring teams to conduct random checks on staff at the inspection counters," he said.
He emphasized that counter setting crimes could be eradicated or minimized with technology, as it would make staff more cautious, knowing that their actions are monitored and recorded.
Following the crackdown on counter setting activities in September, which involved long-term intelligence work with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the number of risky foreign entries, particularly from Bangladesh and Myanmar, has drastically decreased.
He noted that the issuance of the Not-To-Land (NTL) notice, which bans travellers from entering Malaysia for reasons such as passport and visa authenticity, criminal history, and security concerns, has also increased.
Zakaria stated that about 50 enforcement officers suspected of being involved in the counter setting syndicate have been transferred until investigations are completed.
However, he acknowledged that there are still movements within the group involving staff under surveillance.
Meanwhile, he expressed hope that the proposal for body cameras for agency staff would be approved after a request was submitted in the 13th Malaysia Plan.
In September, the MACC arrested 50 Immigration officers suspected of being involved in the counter setting syndicate and identified 11 issues that allowed the syndicate to bring in foreign nationals using this modus operandi.