Kuala Lumpur:The Immigration Department (JIM) is calling on the public to report any suspected irregularities in the issuance of Special Passes by its officers, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, directly to the authorities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban emphasized the importance of submitting information or evidence to JIM or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to aid in a comprehensive investigation.

Zakaria stated that direct reporting is essential to maintain the confidentiality of information and protect the integrity of evidence. He warned that public disclosure of suspected illegal activities before formal reporting could alert those involved, causing them to cease their activities or destroy evidence, thus complicating investigations.

The director-general assured that JIM is open to receiving information on alleged misconduct and is committed to reviewing and referring reports for appropriate action based on existing laws and regulations. He reiterated the department's serious stance against misconduct, emphasizing that any abuse of power or integrity violations by officers would not be tolerated.

Highlighting efforts to strengthen integrity, Zakaria revealed that 849 immigration officers have faced disciplinary action from 2023 to October this year, with 73 officers dismissed. Specifically, from January to October of this year, 96 officers faced disciplinary proceedings, including 18 dismissals. These figures underscore the department's commitment to addressing disciplinary offences and enhancing procedural compliance and internal controls to deliver transparent services.