Immigration seeks online payment for all services

PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department is gearing towards adopting the electronic payment facility for all its services by November.

Director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said this was among efforts being taken to improve the department’s efficiency.

“I have challenged myself and the department — why not by November we implement e-payment for all our services. This will require facilities and budget.

“This matter will be deliberated with the Home and Finance Ministries,” he said after taking the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s corruption-free pledge with his staff before Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday.

Mustafar said having an e-payment facility could reduce security risk because some divisions handled huge sums of cash.

He also welcomed Zahid’s call on using technology to cut down corruption. With less human intervention, he said, the possibility of corruption could be reduced.

“Technology can also provide us the platform for accurate, fast and hassle-free services.”

He said there would still be processes that required the public to be present, such as to surrender or collect their passports.