AN immigration officer, who in a viral video allegedly uttered abusive words to the public, has been transferred to another department and is facing an investigation by the Integrity Division of the Immigration Department. 

Immigration Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said in a statement today that his office takes the incident seriously, and that the alleged abuse happened in Shah Alam, Selangor, although preliminary investigation found that there was an element of provocation from the public. 

“However, the action taken by the officer involved is against the department’s slogan of ‘Integrity, Professional, Friendly’. In addition, shouting and uttering abusive words towards the public should not be done by a civil servant like an immigration officer,” he said. 

A video, which had gone viral on social media, showed a man in his 50s getting angry because he was dissatisfied with the service provided when applying for a passport at the Urban Transformation Centre immigration counter, Section 14, Shah Alam. 

Khairul said he regrets the act of provocation by the man but felt that immigration officers should be wiser in controlling themselves and should adopt a professional attitude when faced with verbal provocation by members of the public as they have been given sufficient training and guidance.

“Various facilities have been provided for people to renew their passports, such as online application and the extension of operating hours (for counters), including on Saturday and Sunday. The Immigration Department advises the public to always refer to the department’s social media pages for the latest information.

“The department would also like to emphasise that there is no compromise towards any officer who behaves unprofessionally. At the same time, we will also take appropriate action against those who try to tarnish the image and credibility of this department,” he said. – Bernama, August 21, 2022.