Sarawak minister says told of alleged shakedowns at state’s border crossings
KUCHING, July 4 — Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today said he has heard that foreigners were allegedly solicited for bribes at Malaysian immigration points in the state.
However, he said he has not received officials complaints from tourists being asked to give money at the immigration counters at the Kuching International Airport (KIA).
“I am not sure how true such happenings are, but this is the feedback that I have received,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting with the Sarawak Association of Art and Culture Activists at his office here.
“If there is a willing giver and a willing receiver, then who is going to lodge the report?” he said when reiterating that he did not have any formal reports about the matter.
Karim said the authorities would not carry out any investigation on corruption and abuse of power by immigration officers unless a report was lodged.
He was asked if he had received any complaints from visitors being asked to give money to the immigration officers at the KIA, similar to what Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing alleged was occurring at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Tiong claimed to have been told of immigration officers allegedly asking for money to release detained foreign tourists, with some wanting up to RM3,000.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP, claimed a further RM3,000 would be sought if the tourist wanted to return to the country of origin immediately using a “special lane”, and RM12,000 to process an entry visa.
