Malaysia's Immigration Department has questioned the version of
events given by the two Singaporean women who alleged they were
mistreated by immigration officials in Johor Bahru, labelling their
explanation "suspicious".
In a statement obtained by Yahoo! Singapore,
Immigration Department Director-General Alias bin Ahmad confirmed
the two women were arrested last week under the Immigration Act for
not having valid passes for entry into Malaysia.
The duo could have been fined RM10,000 or jailed up to five
years and caned six times.
Datuk Alias said the women's earlier explanation that they were
unsure of immigration procedures at the Customs checkpoint was
suspicious because "both passports showed that both had been to
Malaysia a number of times."
His statement added their most recent visits were on 31 July
2010 and April 6 this year. As such, the statement said their
allegation that there was no immigration officer at the check-in
counter was "not reasonable".
In addition, the statement said "all 38 counters were fully open
to the public" on the day.
In earlier reports, the two Singaporean women -- Lim Lili and
Zhan Tingting (not their real names) -- claim the lane they had
entered was unmanned.
In particular, Miss Lim said she had been to JB many times with
her friends but it was her first time driving across the Causeway.
Also because it was her first time experiencing the new biometric
scanner at the counter, the estate agent in her 20s said she tried
using the intercom to ask an officer for help.
After waiting for five minutes, they decided to move on without
getting their passports stamped but after realising their mistake,
they returned to the customs checkpoint but were subsequently
arrested and sent to a nearby detention centre. There, they were
ordered to strip and do squats in the nude.
The statement said the women's treatment at the detention centre
was according to "standard operating procedures" as required for
admission of new prisoners. This includes a "thorough examination
of the body of the new detainees to ensure that no prohibited goods
were hidden in body parts".
The examination, it said, was conducted by an on-duty female
officer in a room in accordance with the standard procedures. The
case was referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor, who finally
decided to let the women off with a stern warning the next day.
Meanwhile, both women are set to file an official complaint
against the Immigration Department of
Malaysia.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told
Yahoo! Singapore on Tuesday night that the two women had
met its consular officers and that they wanted to lodge a formal
complaint to the Malaysian High Commission. It's understood the MFA
will help forward the complaint.
The spokesperson added its consulate in Johor
Bahru has also contacted Malaysian immigration authorities
to inquire on the immigration and detention procedures the women
were subjected to.
However, other representatives from within the Immigration Department headquarters in Kuala Lumpur that
Yahoo! Singapore spoke to said the two women could have
"blown the story out of proportion".
A public relations officer, who wanted to be known only as
Haidir, said the two ladies should have waited at the immigration
counter for an officer to assist them, even if the booth was
unmanned.
Otherwise, they should have approached any of the other officers
in adjacent lanes, he added.
"It is common sense for one to get his or her passport stamped
upon crossing the Causeway," said another immigration officer at
the Immigration of Johor State headquarters.
"Just like Singapore, you need to get your passport stamped
before you enter the country; if not, you will be arrested... so it
is the same procedure in Malaysia," said the officer, who declined
to be named.
-- Yahoo!
