IMMIGRATION SYSTEM PROVIDERS’ AGREEMENTS TO BE REVIEWED
This is to ensure no weaknesses in agreements, issue of lax security, says Muhyiddin
THE Home Ministry is reviewing existing agreements with vendors operating the Immigration Department’s systems, including that of the Foreign Visa (VLN).
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expressed concern over a Harian Metro (HM) report, which exposed the flaws in the online VLN system, including the Electronic Travel Registration & Information (eNTRI) and eVISA for tourists from China and India entering Malaysia.
“The implementation of the eNTRI system managed by Ultra Kirana
Sdn Bhd (UKSB) via a concession agreement with the ministry since 2016 has failed to serve as a screening method for Chinese nationals entering the country.
“Since assuming the role of home minister, I have instructed the ministry’s management to review concession agreements with vendors managing immigration systems, including the VLN.
“The purpose of this review is to ensure that the government’s as well as national security are not jeopardised by any weaknes, which may exist in the agreement or the implementation of the system,” he said yesterday.
Muhyiddin said the Home Ministry would propose to the cabinet for improvements to be made to the system before developing a new, more efficient one to ensure that services were effective and cost-efficient.
He said at the moment, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was investigating claims of impropriety involving concessionaires running the system.
“The Home Ministry is extending its fullest cooperation to MACC in the investigation.
“We will not hesitate to take action against anyone if there is proof of any weakness or wrongdoing in the system implementation.”
On Wednesday, HM detailed how eNTRI, which enabled 15-day visa-free entries for Chinese nationals into Malaysia, failed as a screening method.
UKSB, the company which was given access to manage eNTRI, reportedly raked in a fee of RM100 for each application, with no payment going to the government.
The report claimed that the online management of the system appeared to be lax, with only five minutes needed to obtain approval.
It also claimed that individuals who had been blacklisted and had criminal records were allowed to enter Malaysia.