KLIA 'punching': Immigration officers not involved - Home Ministry

Immigration officers were not involved in the incident showing an official allegedly punching a foreigner at KLIA’s “not to land” (NTL) area, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

“No officers from the Immigration Department were involved in this. They are only tasked with deciding on NTL (whether a tourist can enter Malaysia or not).

“If the immigration officer denies a tourist entry into the country, the individual is sent to NTL.

“From there, they fall under the purview of the airline that brought them here,” the spokesperson told Malaysiakini.

Earlier, Malaysiakini published a story depicting improper conduct by officials manning the NTL space, including punching a foreigner.

In a three-second video believed to have been taken on Nov 11, an official was seen punching the face of a foreigner for unknown reasons and telling the latter to move to another spot - believed to be a room.

In another clip, which also runs for three seconds, the same official was seen yelling “ingat aku kuli, sial” (do you think I’m your servant) at the foreigners present.

A third clip, which runs for 22 seconds, shows how the crowded NTL space is - with some travellers even seen seated and lying on the floor.

Airlines must take responsibility

Elaborating, the spokesperson stressed that an airline must be responsible enough to send back foreigners denied entry into Malaysia.

“Before this, airlines appointed Mono Circle Sdn Bhd to handle these tourists, including providing them with food and return tickets.

“Later, immigration officers were accused of soliciting money, which is untrue.

“That is the reason why the minister (Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) decided that airlines should take up the responsibility instead.

“So, why were the tourists given boarding passes when they have no return tickets?” the spokesperson asked.

Mono Circle no longer manning NTL

Touching on Mono Circle, the ministry spokesperson said the company no longer manages the NTL area in KLIA.

“You (the airline) appointed Mono Circle but they are no longer doing it (managing NTLs).

“So, the airline cannot wash their hands off this. It should take responsibility to provide them with food and return tickets. This is a standard international practice.”

Malaysiakini has reached out to the airline for comments.

It should be noted that Mono Circle was appointed by the KLIA Airline Operators Committee (AOC) to manage travellers kept in NTL.

It is established by 40 airlines and 26 affiliate companies.

Although Mono Circle is no longer managing NTL areas, a search on the Companies Commission of Malaysia website on Nov 19 showed it still lists KLIA Arrival Hall 3 as its address.

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