Seven Immigration Department officials and two foreigners have been detained under the Internal Security Act for alleged involvement in human trafficking.

NONE Inspector-general of police Ismail Omar ( right ) said that the nine were arrested at various places between Sunday and Tuesday.

Ismail said further that police were making all efforts to ensure Malaysia was not used as transit point by foreigners for criminal activities.

Meanwhile, Immigration director-general Abdul Rahman Othman has been transferred to the Home Ministry to be its immigration affairs division secretary.

It is learnt that he has received the internal transfer order letter today, effective Oct 15.

Abdul Rahman is replaced by National Security and Public Order Division secretary Alias Ahmad.

Demotion?

It is unclear whether the transfer is related to the arrests.

NONE Abdul Rahman ( left ) has recently come under severe criticism over allegations of corruption involving illegal migrant workers as well as the escape of a number of detainees from an immigration holding pen at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. 

Though this is considered a lateral transfer but the new posting is a slap in the face for Abdul Rahman.

Meanwhile, leading human rights group Suaram condemned the detention of the nine and said that police should instead charge them in court under conventional laws.

"This is an ugly episode," Suaram spokeswoman E Nalini told AFP .

"Their arrest under ISA reflects lack of professionalism in the police force. It goes to show that they are unable to conduct a proper investigation."