KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — The Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department will investigate allegations of irregularities in the issuance of special passes at the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office.

Its director, Datuk Hamsha Injau, said the department’s Integrity Division would conduct an investigation to determine the validity of the allegations and that no misconduct would be tolerated.

“Appropriate action will be taken if there is evidence of any breach of the law or regulations,” he said in a statement today.

He also advised the public to deal with the Immigration Department through official channels and avoid using unauthorised intermediaries.

A news portal reported today that special passes, which are intended to assist foreign nationals facing emergencies or urgent circumstances, were allegedly being systematically abused to extend their stay in Malaysia.

The report also alleged that the operation involved local intermediaries who handled applications, collected applicants’ passports and sent their photographs to immigration officers through messaging applications for preliminary verification. — Bernama