DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok today slammed a top police official for suggesting that undocumented migrants who have been caught repeatedly entering the country illegally should be whipped.

She said that Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Hazani Ghazali’s suggestion was barbaric and demeaning.

“Senior civil servants and police officers are reminded that whipping is seen as a barbaric act, which demeans human dignity internationally.

“Many illegal migrants who sneak into Malaysia are the poor from our neighbouring countries seeking employment here,” she said in a statement.

Yesterday, Hazani proposed that the government impose whipping on illegal immigrants who repeatedly enter the country without a valid permit.

He said this approach was one of the ways of teaching immigrants not to enter the country illegally.

“We will not compromise on the issue of illegal immigrants because it can affect national security,” Hazani told reporters.

Kok said that his callous suggestion would only harm relations with Malaysia’s neighbours.

“I wonder whether his suggestion of whipping will also extend to include the sly enforcement officers who have failed in their duties in preventing illegal migrants from entering into Malaysia.

“And the civil servants who aided and abetted the smuggling of unlawful migrants.”

Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act states that the penalty for illegal entry is a fine not exceeding RM10,000, or imprisonment for up to five years, and offenders are also liable to whipping of not more than six strokes.

Kok also called on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to educate the authorities.

“It is because of such recklessness that I urge Suhakam to conduct human rights training courses for officers in our enforcement agencies.

“This includes the police and immigration to adhere to the international human rights norms and standards, while performing their duties.

“And to refrain from making petty statements, such as imposing such barbaric and archaic acts.” – February 3, 2022.