'Use body cameras, avoid corruption accusations' - Cuepacs
ROSKHOIRAH YAHYA
SHAH ALAM - The government is urged to use body cameras for staff at the national entry points at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to increase safety and integrity compliance among other personnel on duty.
The Civil Service Employees' Union Congress (Cuepacs) president Datuk Adnan Mat, said with the usage of body cameras, officers would always be aware of all movements recorded and maintain professionalism when performing duties.
The recording from the camera would be able to assist in investigations if there were accusations of any criminal breach of trust or misconduct, such as the incidents that had recently gone viral.
"We are deeply saddened by the allegations and the viral video spread over the matter, as it has caused a negative perception, especially towards the civil service, when on-duty personnel work hard to ensure national security is maintained.
"Strict actions must be taken if there are elements of corruption, and anyone making such accusations must report it to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) instead of making false accusations as well as wild claims; that is unfair for us," he said.
He was met after a visit to KLIA1 on Tuesday to inspect the operations of Immigration department officers.
On Sunday, police said investigations were following the Police Enquiry Letter (KEP) regarding the KLIA commotion.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing previously made a statement claiming his presence in KLIA revealed the corruption culture among staff at the national entrance involving the Immigration Department.
Adnan said every administration at the international entrance in KLIA was carried out in an orderly manner in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government.
"Therefore, there is no room for officers to go beyond the SOPs. Cuepacs would like to emphasise that the immigration officers on duty on the day of the incident carried out their duties well to ensure the country is controlled from invasion by tourists or those entering illegally.
"We strongly object to the expression of corruption elements in the process of accepting the entry of foreign tourists, though the department has been wildly accused by certain parties," he said.
In another development, Adnan said he hoped the government would review all immigration officer programmes.
"The government must perform an improvement in the form of an enforcement allowance, which has yet to be established.
"Some agencies already existed, so it is good that it is standardised for all enforcement agencies, including the immigration department," he explained.
