Kuala lumpur: The practice of irregular stamping for entry and exit at Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complexes is perceived as a grave violation of standard operating procedures, which could potentially compromise the country's sovereignty and security. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban emphasized that these violations are not trivial administrative issues but pose significant risks to the national border control system if not addressed with stringent measures.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, disciplinary actions have been initiated against 92 immigration officers stationed at national entry and exit points for offences related to irregular endorsements and immigration stamping, based on records for 2025. These acts are categorized as serious integrity misconducts due to their potential risks to the country's sovereignty and security. Zakaria stressed that every immigration check procedure is integral to national security and that the department maintains a zero-tolerance stance towards any compromise in duties at the country's entry points, particularly at high-risk ICQS complexes.
The department has implemented integrity checks through spot-checks, 24/7 CCTV surveillance, and technology-based control system improvements to ensure strict adherence to SOP. Zakaria noted that the deployment of advanced technology in high-risk locations has expedited the checking processes. He assured that current security levels at ICQS complexes bordering Thailand in Kedah, Perlis, Perak, and Kelantan remain stable and secure due to modern border management strategies.
Despite the Malaysian Control and Border Protection Agency (MCBA) taking over control duties at entry points, the Immigration Department continues to manage 10 immigration aspects and security checks through a more efficient organizational restructure. Zakaria pointed out that identity theft and misuse of border documents remain significant threats at entry points along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
To address these challenges, the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) is employed to thoroughly analyze visitor and tourist data using artificial intelligence, enabling officers to make accurate security decisions swiftly. NIISe is designed to integrate fully with various international and national security databases, including those of Interpol, allowing comprehensive and effective security risk analyses and reducing reliance on manual checks.
Zakaria highlighted the synergy between MCBA and Immigration, supported by the NIISe system's capability of interfacing with databases from the Royal Malaysia Police, the National Registry Department, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, which has mitigated gaps previously exploited by syndicates. The comprehensive risk management approach ensures early detection of syndicate attempts to manipulate entry points.
Furthermore, the department is enhancing cooperation through system integration with international entities such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for passport verification and sharing security data, including the Stolen or Lost Documents database. Zakaria concluded that technical cooperation ensures that travellers from Thailand or other countries undergo stringent vetting processes in alignment with global standards.