IMMIGRATION: WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE
We will ensure good service without compromising on security, says deputy D-G
FERNANDO FONG KUALA LUMPUR kee.soon@nst.com.my
IMMIGRATION Department deputy director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdullah said the department will continue to improve even after its service at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been voted the best in the world by airline passengers.
He said the department would not rest on its laurels despite bagging the Skytrax World Airport Awards for best immigration service.
He said the department would continue to enhance its officers’ efficiency, including sending them for English courses.
“We will not take it easy even though we have won the award for the fourth time.
“The fact that we are rated the best among more than 500 airports in a survey of 19 million respondents is all the more reason for us to keep up the excellent work.
“We want to make things easy for genuine travellers, but without comprising the nation’s security,” he told the News Straits Times.
He said Immigration directorgeneral Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali received the award in the Netherlands recently.
The rankings were announced during an award ceremony at the three-day Amsterdam’s Passenger Terminal Expo, which started on Tuesday.
At the expo, it was also announced that klia2 was named the third best Low-Cost Airline Terminal, while Tokyo Narita Airport’s Terminal 3 was named the best.
The conference provides the latest updates on issues, innovations and trends that affect the passenger terminal industry.
KL Tourist Guides Association chairman Wong Hing Tuck said the award would boost tourism in Malaysia.
“It is a much-needed boost for the country’s reputation.
“At the same time, airport staff behind the check-in counters in our airports need to be more efficient as there have been many complaints about passengers waiting very long.”
He said Immigration officers needed to improve their English, adding that this was based on feedback from tourists.
Ricky Wijaya, a Kuala Lumpurbased business software entrepreneur from Indonesia, who travelled frequently, said one of KLIA’s plus points was the separate lines for foreigners, Malaysia My Second Home participants, citizens from Asean nations, Malaysians, airline staff and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries.
“It is really helpful for expatriates like me to get quick service at the Immigration counter.
“Even Singapore and Japan do not have facilities like this.”