I am a resident in Malaysia with a contract with an international group in a neighboring Asean country. This job requires me to travel in and out of Malaysia to the region and I often take the opportunity to transit in Kuala Lumpur.

Yesterday I was on my way to Indonesia from Thailand (transit in KL) via the LCC (Low Cost Carrier) terminal at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and came across a rather arrogant young immigration officer, Arishah, who upon seeing my old Malaysian identity card, said, "Jangan bermaustautin di Malaysia kalau selalu keluar. Pergi balik." (Don't reside here if you leave so often. Don't come back/Stay at where you came from).

I am quite aghast at the remark. She was apparently piqued that I have not yet applied for MyKad which for permanent residents, must be done at one station in Putrajaya and not anywhere else. I have tried at immigration centres and the application was refused. I have not had the time to sort this out.

I informed Arishah that perhaps she should take some kind of public relations course. She could inform residents that their residency may be affected if they delay in applying for MyKad but certainly should restrain herself from making such caustic comments. She perhaps had a very low opinion of those travelling via the LCC?

My fellow travelers to Indonesia at LCC that day also faced similar rudeness, although I am not sure if it is from the same Arishah. We compared notes at the waiting lounge and they said that they had no problems at the KLIA terminal. There were snide remarks to their travel papers which included United Nations documentation of their refugee status.

To be fair, I have not had any such rudeness from immigration officers at KLIA on the status of my old identity card. I do not have any problems even at the Johor immigration. The officers - and they seem older officers at both points - are gracious in their reminders as we exchange cordial greetings.

The air terminal is the entry/exit point of foreigners to the country and officers at these points whether you like it or not, do show Malaysia up to the travellers of the world. Please do not send 'Rela-minded' officers to the LCC counters. I am having second thoughts of using this terminal again.