PETALING JAYA: Budget 2027’s RM21.98 billion allocation for the Home Ministry offers scope to strengthen border security, improve the integrity of Immigration systems and enhance support for retired enforcement personnel, said criminologists.
They called for stronger welfare assistance for retired Immigration personnel, tighter safeguards against system manipulation and better coordination among border enforcement agencies to ensure the funding delivers meaningful benefits.
Association of Former Immigration Officers of Malaysia (PBKIM) president and independent criminologist Datuk Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said annual government funding for the association would help it expand assistance for retirees, particularly those facing health and financial difficulties.
“We have no special allocation from any agency or the government. Our funds come from retirees’ contributions and annual membership fees, which we use for their welfare.
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“We also provide assistance to retirees who fall ill or are hospitalised, according to the association’s financial capacity, but the amount is insufficient.
“Some are still healthy and able to manage their lives, but others face chronic illnesses, rising treatment costs, or the loss of a spouse or family support,” the former KLIA Immigration operations chief told theSun.
He proposed a dedicated fund for emergency financial aid, regular health screenings and access to treatment, with clear eligibility criteria and oversight to complement existing benefits.
“I appeal to the Home Ministry to provide a contribution to PBKIM so that we can better care for Immigration retirees,” he said.
On Sept 28, the daily reported Shahul’s call for Budget 2027 to include a dedicated welfare fund to help Immigration retirees meet healthcare needs, living costs and social programme expenses.
While acknowledging the RM750 special assistance for retirees and the increase in the minimum pension to RM1,350, he said targeted support was still needed to address the differing needs of former personnel.
Shahul also called for the RM274 million Immigration computerisation allocation to strengthen system safeguards, particularly in light of Op Crack, in which officers were suspected of manipulating the MyIMMs system.
“Upgrading Immigration systems should not simply make checks faster but ensure that every transaction is more transparent, traceable and difficult to manipulate,” he said.
He proposed audit trails, automatic alerts for suspicious transactions, access restricted according to officers’ roles and two-stage approval for high-risk decisions.
“The measure of success is not how many computer systems are purchased but how far they reduce opportunities for manipulation, detect abuse earlier and improve accountability,” he said.
On the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency’s RM490 million allocation, Shahul called for real-time intelligence-sharing among the agency, Immigration, police and Customs, alongside clearer responsibilities and personnel deployment based on passenger volumes and risk levels.
“Intelligence is the lifeblood of border security. Without it, all other assets are merely shields without eyes,” he said.
Asian Criminological Society board member and criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said the Immigration computerisation allocation should address insider threats as well as external cyberattacks to ensure technology investments deliver stronger oversight and accountability.
“Computerisation can improve efficiency, but it does not automatically eliminate corruption or abuse of power. In fact, when officers have legitimate access to a system, that access can potentially be exploited to facilitate unauthorised approvals, bypass established procedures or assist external syndicates,” he said.
Sundramoorthy proposed risk-based monitoring to identify irregular transactions, with alerts reviewed independently rather than treated as automatic proof of misconduct.
He also recommended an annual integrity and system-security report, supported by independent audits and oversight from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission within their respective mandates.
The report should detail substantiated misconduct, criminal referrals and measures taken to address identified weaknesses.
“Taxpayers should be able to assess not only how much the government spends but also whether that expenditure produces demonstrable improvements in integrity, security and accountability.”