THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate claims of corruption among Immigration officers when handling foreign travellers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), said chief commissioner Azam Baki.

Azam said it will gather information from parties involved after allegations were made by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing yesterday.

“The MACC will investigate the matter.

“We urge the public not to sensationalise or speculate on this matter,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times today.

Yesterday, Tiong said corrupt practices were rampant at the KLIA arrival hall.

He said this after he was recorded at the centre of a commotion at the airport.

“My presence uncovered a culture of corruption by a few officials and chronic abuse of power,” he said in a statement.

Tiong said he would send details to the MACC.

Yesterday Transport Minister Anthony Loke said airport authorities were investigating an incident involving a minister, reported Bebas News, who had allegedly barged into the arrival hall without a pass to help a Chinese national who was being detained.

The minister then allegedly scolded KLIA auxiliary policemen and Immigration officers while trying to help the Chinese national.

But Tiong denied he was there to secure the release of the foreigner.

“I have no authority for that, and I would only damage my own reputation if I did so,” he said.

Tiong claimed Immigration officers were charging as much as RM3,000 to release foreign travellers they detained.

“An additional RM3,000 is required if you want to return to your home country immediately through a ‘special route’, while RM12,000 is for the cost of processing a visa,” he said.

“I will raise this matter to the cabinet, including the proposal to do away with the agent that handles foreign tourists who are refused entry into the country.” – July 1, 2023.