The Malaysian Immigration Department has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on duty breaches at national entry points, warning that practices such as the so-called “hand-raising” culture pose a serious threat to national security.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the department has not received any official reports regarding such practices at Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes. However, he stressed that firm action would be taken if any officer is found involved, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
Zakaria did not dismiss the possibility that such incidents could occur at border entry points and urged the public to lodge reports directly with the department to facilitate investigations.
“All travellers are required to present valid passports or border passes during immigration checks, as stipulated under the law. There is no such thing as a small compromise,” he said.
“Every act of ‘hand-raising’ is the beginning of a chain of leakages that could ultimately lead to disaster.”
He warned that such practices could allow organised crime syndicates and elements threatening national security to exploit border weaknesses. Zakaria emphasised that integrity among officers remains the country’s final line of defence, and all procedures must strictly adhere to standard operating procedures and legal requirements.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by enforcement personnel, he said officers with high integrity often face pressure from external parties and syndicates.
“These officers are the first line of defence against the ‘hand-raising’ culture. The pressure to compromise is real and remains a major operational challenge,” he said.
Meanwhile, crime analyst Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim described lax border controls as deeply alarming, warning that allowing individuals to cross borders through special lanes by merely raising their hands could facilitate smuggling and other criminal activities.
He said such actions clearly violate the Immigration Act and the Passport Act governing entry and exit procedures.
In November, police arrested eight individuals, including a civil servant at the Rantau Panjang ICQS, for allegedly crossing the border without valid documents by simply raising their hands.
