EAIC receives SOP violation complaint against Immigration Dept

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has confirmed receiving a complaint against the Immigration Department.

The complaint was over a Check Out Memo (COM) application which was approved without the knowledge or presence of the directors of the company involved.

COMs are issued to migrant workers to facilitate their return to their country of origin.

“Investigations found that the relevant Immigration Department officer was negligent and irresponsible for failing to adhere to the department’s standard operating procedure (SOP) in approving the COM application.

“The COM application was approved based on documents submitted by the third party. Probes revealed that these documents were falsified, and the Immigration officer was also negligent for misplacing the original documents related to the application,” said the EAIC in a statement today.

It said the investigation was conducted under subsection 27(4) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700) following a complaint.

The commission added that it decided to refer to the Immigration Department’s Disciplinary Authority to implement disciplinary action against the officer.

The EAIC also suggested the Immigration Department director-general improve the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs).

“EAIC also recommended that the Royal Malaysia Police initiate an investigation to allow inquiries to be conducted regarding the police report filed by the complainant.”

Counterfeit lubricant probe

In a separate statement, the commission also confirmed receiving a complaint against the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN)’s Kajang branch for SOP non-compliance when investigating the sale of a counterfeit lubricant.

It said investigations revealed non-compliance with the Handling Fake Trademark Complaints SOP in managing the complainant’s case, which resulted in the complaint not being properly probed.

“Therefore, the EAIC has decided to refer recommendations for disciplinary action against the officers involved to KPDN’s Disciplinary Authority,” it said, adding that the case is being investigated under subsection 27(4) of Act 700.

- Bernama

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