Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the government to improve the Immigration Officer Service Scheme, emphasizing the crucial role the Immigration Department plays in the country's economy.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid expressed his support for Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's proposal to restructure strategic posts and broaden career development paths for immigration officers. He called on Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz to carefully consider the recommendations.

"The Immigration Department is the country's third-largest revenue-generating agency, and its officers deserve recognition for their contributions," Ahmad Zahid stated during his address at the 2026 Immigration Day celebration, themed 'Charting a New Face of Immigration.'

He also urged Immigration personnel to uphold their duties with integrity and to avoid any actions that might compromise national sovereignty. Ahmad Zahid highlighted the importance of performing their roles with dedication and courage, as they are the nation's frontline guardians.

"Serve not because someone is watching, but because every action is a trust bestowed upon us by the nation. The future of an institution is determined not by the challenges it faces, but by the courage of its people to overcome them," he concluded.