24/05/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday MAY 24, 2026

Johor Immigration Dept removes counter numbers to curb graft

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday held the Malaysian Polygraph Seminar: The Role of Polygraph in Employment Screening at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (Maca). In a statement, MACC said the seminar aimed to enhance understanding of polygraph technology as a support tool for employment screening, organisational integrity management and security-related investigations. Among the speakers were ASP Ahmad Shahrulazmi Mazni from the Special Branch, ASP Mohammad Firdaus Ashaari from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, MACC Polygraph team coordinator Norhakimin Brahim and Dr Salwa Zolkaful from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM). The seminar was attended by 60 participants from enforcement agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies, including police, the Armed Forces, Air Force, Customs Department and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. Other participants included representatives from the Immigration Department, Health Ministry, UiTM, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and XSpec Technology. In his opening speech, Maca deputy director of academic and basic training Mohd Saud Ayutollah Abdul Manan said the seminar marked an important step in strengthening national knowledge and best practices in the field. He stressed that cross-agency sharing of expertise must continue to strengthen strategic collaboration in combating crime, misconduct and integrity-related issues. He also expressed hope that similar seminars would continue to be organised on a larger scale through research, colloquiums and academic programmes to further develop expertise and maximise the potential of polygraph technology in Malaysia. – Bernama MACC explores wider use of polygraph technology Mohd Rusdi, has yielded positive results, with the state’s main air terminal now recording zero cases and no complaints related to such misconduct. He said last year, 20 officers faced disciplinary action for involvement in counter-setting activities, while five others were penalised over flying passport offences. On the disciplinary measures, Mohd Rusdi said firm action served as a deterrent and warning to other officers against engaging in similar misconduct.

substantial bribes. “As a countermeasure, we took the bold step of removing all counter numbers at our entry points. Now, these counters no longer display any numbers,” he told Bernama recently. Mohd Rusdi said the initiative was implemented through close cooperation between the Johor department and operators of major entry points, including the management of Senai International Airport and sea entry terminals. He said the operators gave full

support to the proposal to ensure there were no loopholes left for syndicates to exploit. “When the counter numbers are removed, travellers will simply proceed to any available counter based on the type of transaction, without knowing which officer is on duty. This automatically curbs counter-setting activities because syndicates can no longer pre-arrange the counters,” he said. The strategy, introduced through a special committee meeting on counter-setting and flying passport issues chaired by

lacking integrity. He said the syndicates were found to have provided undocumented migrants with advance instructions before arriving in the country, directing them to proceed to specific counters without knowing the identity of the officer on duty. “The syndicates would instruct these travellers, for example, ‘once you get off the plane, head straight to counter seven’. At the designated counter, their illegal entry process would be handled by officers who had received

JOHOR An unconventional tactic by the Johor Immigration Department involving the removal of all counter number signs at southern border entry points has proven effective in reducing complaints of counter setting misconduct involving its officers and personnel. Its director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the measure was introduced after the department uncovered tactics used by syndicates to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals through a network of internal personnel BAHRU:

Upper Baram communities oppose continued logging

BARAM: Communities in Upper Baram, Sarawak are insisting that logging activities in their area be brought to an end. The logging activities are ongoing despite legal action, voicing of human rights concerns, large scale environmental degradation and protests by affected communities. Seven communities – Long Moh, Long Semiyang, Lio Mato, Long Siut/Long Tungan, Long Sepigen, Long Kerong and Long Sait – have rejected all activities carried out on their Native Customary Rights land without their consent. In a letter submitted at the end of March to the Sarawak premier, the Forest Department of Sarawak and a timber logging company, the communities claimed they had yet to receive any response to their formal objections and concerns. Although forest certification is required for all Sarawak timber concessions under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, the communities alleged that the company continues operating without such certification. In a joint statement, the communities also claimed Residents claim operations persist despite protests and environmental concerns voiced Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The affected communities have called on relevant parties to respect their decisions, uphold indigenous rights and immediately cease any actions that violate their autonomy and land rights. – PIC COURTESY OF SARAWAK NATIVE NGOS

towards a green economy, indigenous communities in Upper Baram continue facing encroachment, opaque surveys and threats of forest degradation. “Logging activities without Free, Prior and Informed Consent should not be allowed. Forests should remain in the hands of their true custodians. “There should be no more logging, regardless of whether it is labelled sustainable or reduced-impact logging,” he said. Through the joint statement, the seven communities firmly reaffirmed their rejection of any logging activities by the company within their areas. They also called on all relevant parties to respect their decisions, uphold indigenous rights and immediately cease any actions that violate their autonomy and land rights.

highlighting their resistance signed by community representatives also raised concerns over divisive practices. “This includes alleged meetings and negotiations involving only selected or externally appointed community leaders, without consulting the majority of the community for their consent. “The communities’ concerns point to a stark contradiction between ongoing logging pressures on the ground and the Sarawak government’s recently articulated ‘Beyond Timber’ strategy, which presents forests as strategic assets for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and sustainable livelihoods,” he said. Meanwhile, indigenous rights lawyer Roland Engan said while Sarawak promotes a transition

surveys appeared to have been conducted without Free, Prior and Informed Consent, further deepening mistrust towards the parties concerned. Keruan director Komeok Joe said the communities unequivocally reject such activities. He said they also refused to hold negotiations with representatives from the company and the Forest Department on their territories, signalling that the parties are not welcome to enter the area. “The Penan and Kenyah people reject this approach. Legitimate representation must come from collectively recognised and elected community leaders, not government-appointed leaders who fail to represent the community,” said Komeok. He added that the letter

Teacher held in probe on sexual assault involving nine-year-old pupil MERSING: Police have arrested a teacher to assist in investigations into a sexual assault case involving a nine-year-old schoolboy. Mersing police chief Supt Abdul Razak Abdullah Sani said the 31-year-old suspect was arrested at 5.50pm on Thursday following a police report lodged over the alleged incident. “A mobile phone was also seized, and investigations are still at an early stage,” he said in a statement. Abdul Razak said the suspect has been remanded for five days under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code to facilitate investigations. The case is being investigated under Sections 14(a) and 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. - Bernama