There are still corrupt "traitors" within the Immigration Department, its director-general Mustafar Ali said.

He said this in warning his officers that the department has a zero tolerance approach against corruption within its ranks.

In emphasising on integrity as a shared value for all staff, Mustafar noted that even last night itself there was an incident involving officers who had "acted otherwise".

"We are concerned that there are still masterminds (dalang) outside and traitors within (the department).

"I would like to stress here that we would enforce zero tolerance against all forms of corruption and wrongdoings," said Mustafar in his address at the department's first monthly assembly for this year, held at its headquarters in Putrajaya.

He said 32 officers were dismissed last year for various disciplinary offences, including corruption.

Mustafar was transferred to head the Immigration Department in July last year from his former post as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy chief commissioner.

At a press conference later, Mustafar said he personally witnessed and prevented an attempt to bribe his officers during a raid last weekend.

"We ordered for actions to be taken against those who tries to offer (bribes)," he said.

"If there are 'masterminds' outside who try to break through our immigration officers, think that they (officers) are easily bought, I would like to tell them, 'don't test' (us)," Mustafar warned.

At the same time, he also conceded that there are "black sheep" within the department, despite ongoing efforts to strengthen their integrity.

In a related matter, it was also revealed that the Immigration Department had between 2014 and 2016, arrested 146,874 illegal immigrants and 2,785 employers who harboured illegals.

During the same period, the department also rescued 354 trafficking victims and 269 smuggled migrants.

'Proposed fine for lost passport'

Meanwhile, Mustafar also announced that Malaysians who lose their passports may soon be required to pay a fine.

"The cost of making a passport is high and we also want the public to be more accountable and responsible for their passports.

"Compared to the loss of MyKad which requires a holder to pay a fine of RM100, RM300 and RM1,000 respectively for the first three times they lose them, there are currently no penalties for the loss of a passport," he said.

He said the matter was brought up in a recent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and that it (the fine) was agreed in principle.

The date of implementation and the amount of fine, however, is yet to be finalised.

At present, those who lose their passports are only required to make a police report and pay for their new passports, without having to pay a fine.