The system disruption at several Immigration Department offices was due to the system being overwhelmed, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He said that the problems reported were also experienced by several of the Department's offices

“This was also the case in some other offices all over the country. The system that we have been using is old and when many people are using it there is a bit of a jam,” said Hamzah.

Speaking to reporters after a department operation at Pasar Besar in Jalan Meru here on Friday (May 27) night, he said a company has been tasked to create a new system.

Hamzah added that they estimate that the new system will be completed by 2024.

Reports of systems being down at the Kelana Jaya office on Friday have brought about complaints from the public, with many being in line since 7.30am.

On the raid, Hamzah said that since Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocols,UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders caught during will still be processed and investigated.

 “We view their papers as incomplete because we are not a signatory," said Hamzah.

He added that 704 people were inspected in Friday's raid, and said that they will be investigated thoroughly.

The 704 included Indian and Indonesian nationals found holding UNHCR cards.

Hamzah said that Malaysia’s interests must be prioritised and that the UNHCR should not issue cards based on any agreements with Rohingya groups.

“How can an unregistered society just issue a letter and say this person, an Indonesian, is a refugee and should be given protection. We have seen wrongdoings here and I have said before that UNCHR card holders are only allowed to be here temporarily," he added.

Hamzah added that the UNHCR has to explain themselves to the Ministry following these findings.

“If more wrongdoings are found, I feel that there is a justification for them to no longer be welcomed because it can lead to other offences and bigger problems in the future,” he said.

Hamzah added that the living conditions at the scene at the raids were sad and showed that the immigrants had no other choice but to cooperate with syndicates and work here.

Asked about those who escaped the Sungai Bakap Immigration Detention Depot, Hamzah said that all will be found.

"We will continue our raids until we find the 60 escapees," said Hamzah.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by JUSTIN ZACK

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