2-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian authorities have pledged to take appropriate action regarding a recent incident at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), where a Chinese national was initially denied entry. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressed the issue in a Facebook post on Sunday (Jul 1) after conducting a surprise visit to the airport.
During his visit, Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged the need for improvements to enhance operations at the country’s entry point. He engaged with staff and officers on duty, discussing their daily operations and identifying emerging issues and challenges faced while handling tourists, foreign nationals, and local residents.
In response to the incident involving Chinese tourists, the prime minister assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted by the authorities. Preliminary discussions were scheduled to take place during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to address the matter. Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that appropriate actions would be taken by the involved parties if any mistakes had occurred, disrupting the smooth flow of operations.
The incident came to light through a report published by local news outlet The Star on Saturday. According to the report, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing personally intervened to assist an employee of a China-based media company who encountered difficulties with immigration officers upon arrival from Shenzhen on Thursday.
The woman, a Chinese national, claimed that despite having valid travel documents, she was denied entry and allegedly asked to pay a substantial sum of money. The incident involved the personal assistant of a senior official from a Chinese government-owned TV station, who was cleared and allowed entry by the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM).
After receiving distressing information from the consulate general’s office in Guangzhou, Minister Tiong promptly contacted the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for assistance. Together with MACC officers, he conducted an investigation at KLIA, meeting with both the visitors and immigration officers involved. Following Minister Tiong’s intervention, the personal assistant was eventually granted entry. This incident marked the fifth time that Minister Tiong had intervened in similar cases.
In response to allegations of corruption involving immigration officers handling foreign tourists at entry points, the MACC announced its intention to investigate the matter. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki stated that the commission was gathering information from various parties, including a prominent dignitary and JIM, to facilitate the investigation.
Reports circulated on Thursday of a commotion at KLIA, with a Malaysian minister allegedly attempting to “rescue” the Chinese national. The incident gained attention on social media after the minister reportedly entered the arrival hall without a security pass. Immigration director-general Ruslin Jusoh confirmed that his department would also conduct an investigation.
Minister Tiong dismissed reports suggesting that he did not possess a valid security pass, asserting that such claims were untrue. He clarified that his security pass was valid until next year.
The Malaysian authorities are determined to address the incident and ensure transparency and accountability in immigration procedures at the country’s entry points.
