Kuala lumpur: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has revealed that 27 officers and personnel from the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) were found violating a directive during a police raid at the Mansion 9 entertainment centre in Kuala Lumpur on April 26. The directive, issued on November 18, 2019, prohibits JIM staff from entering high-risk areas such as entertainment centres, massage parlours, and gambling outlets to prevent negative public perception.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the EAIC's investigation discovered that some of the JIM personnel were not only present at the entertainment centre but were also neglecting their duty schedules, as they were supposed to be on duty at the time of the raid. This breach of conduct raised concerns about the adherence to official instructions and the integrity of the department.

The EAIC statement highlighted weaknesses in JIM's internal disciplinary investigation procedures following the incident. It noted that the processes did not comply with the established standard operating procedures (SOPs), indicating a need for reform within the department's disciplinary systems.

In response to these findings, the EAIC has referred the involved officers to the disciplinary authorities of the Public Service Department (JPA) and the Immigration Department. The commission recommended action under Regulation 38 of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 for offenses such as negligence, irresponsibility, dishonesty, or breach of trust.

The EAIC also presented several recommendations to prevent future occurrences, including the rotation of officers who have served at the same location for more than five years, enhanced coordination and monitoring of duty schedules and attendance, and requiring officers to pay for services used at entertainment centres to preclude corruption allegations.