Former state Matta chief claims Johor’s entry points also not free of corruption

JOHOR BARU July 5 — A former Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) state chief today alleged that corruption involving government workers dealing with foreign visitors also occurred at Johor’s entry gateways.

Former Johor Matta chairman Kenny Ngi said the association previously received complaints of misconduct like those levelled at the Immigration Department’s handling of arrivals of foreign visitors at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

“We hope that the government will take the appropriate action to act on this issue immediately,” he said in a press conference held at the Amari Hotel here today.

Ngi did not elaborate on his claims but his comments were in related to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s allegations last week of a “culture of corruption” with the Immigration Department’s handling of arrivals of foreign visitors at KLIA.

Ngi said the federal government needs to immediately investigate the allegations as the incident involves the country’s dignity and good standing, with failure to do so likely to discourage foreign visitors to the country.

“The allegations of misconduct and corruption needs to be investigated properly. If it is true, immediate action must be taken to ensure that it does not continues to happen again.

“This is especially so as our tourism sector is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said, adding that the viral videos and news reports of the incident may also cause foreign tourists to forego Malaysia as their main holiday destination.

Johor Matta deputy chairman Kathryn Lee today said millions of Chinese tourists were expected to return to Malaysia as their main travel destination, and would be a major contributor to the country’s tourism sector after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last week, Tiong was accused of forcing his way into the arrival hall at KLIA’s Terminal 1 to assist a Chinese national who had been detained by immigration officials.

Tiong later alleged of rampant corruption involving immigration personnel at the location, and urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate urgently.

Yesterday, the MACC said it had taken statements from three people, including Tiong, regarding the allegation.