LETTER | The integrity of Malaysia’s Immigration Department has been called into question time and again due to rampant corruption.

Recent scandals serve as stark reminders that the rot runs deep. Despite efforts by the director-general, including establishing an integrity division, corruption persists.

It’s time for a complete overhaul of the department to restore public trust and accountability.

The MACC’s recent arrest of 60 individuals, including a senior immigration officer believed to be the mastermind behind the “counter setting” syndicate, offers a glimpse of hope.

For years, some immigration officers have allegedly disabled passport control systems, allowing illegal migrants to enter the country.

This is not a new issue - since 2016, these corrupt practices have reportedly been taking place, as MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki revealed.

But this is just one of many instances. The corruption within the department is systemic. It’s not just about a few rogue officers; the entire department needs to be revamped.

Urgent steps

1. Stricter oversight and accountability

The culture of impunity within the department must end. Supervisors and managers should be held accountable for the actions of their officers.

Simply transferring corrupt staff won’t work if the underlying culture remains unchanged. Regular audits and surprise inspections must become the norm to ensure compliance at all levels.

Revamping the department to establish strong checks and balances is crucial. The integrity division, while a step in the right direction, needs more teeth.

This division should be staffed with independent officers from the police and MACC, who are empowered to conduct unannounced inspections at airports, ports, and border checkpoints. Ensuring tighter controls at these critical entry points is vital.

2. Swift and visible punishments

Too few officers face real consequences for their actions. The government needs to send a clear message: those who betray the public's trust will be swiftly and severely punished.

Publicising these convictions will create a deterrent for others within the department. Only then can we begin to dismantle the culture of corruption.

3. Focus on prevention, not just raids

While raids on undocumented immigrants make headlines, they barely scratch the surface. Every day, more illegal immigrants slip through our borders, and our focus is misplaced.

Resources spent chasing those already in the country would be far better used to tighten security at entry points.

The government must allocate significantly more resources to secure our borders. Border security should be our top priority, preventing illegal immigrants from entering in the first place rather than scrambling to apprehend them after they've already infiltrated the country.

4. Learn from other countries

Malaysia can learn valuable lessons from countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, which have transparent and efficient immigration systems. Adopting their best practices could go a long way in reforming our own system.

5. Protect whistleblowers

Fear of reprisal keeps many from reporting corruption. We need to create a safe environment for whistleblowers, ensuring their protection and anonymity. Encouraging insiders to speak out is crucial to unearthing corruption that would otherwise remain hidden.

6. Raise public awareness

Educating the public on how to recognise and report corruption can be a powerful tool in fighting the problem. The public needs to know how and where to report suspicious activities.

We have to be mindful that the MACC is a graft buster, not a graft preventer. While the MACC can do its part in addressing corruption, the department itself must get its act together.

Without a complete revamp of the department, we are merely applying band-aids to a deeply infected wound. Real reform means rooting out corruption at every level and instilling a new culture of accountability and integrity.

The time for piecemeal solutions is over. A full-scale revamp of the department is the only way to restore trust and ensure that corruption no longer tarnishes its reputation.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.