PETALING JAYA, May 28 — There has been a notable increase in cases of immigration personnel being transferred over the past week — an apparent reaction to the revelation that the Malaysian Immigration system (myIMMs) had been compromised.

Immigration Department director-general Datuk Sakib Kusmi said staff implicated in sabotaging the system, used to screen people entering and exiting the country, were “moved out from their work stations in sensitive areas, mainly at the KL International Airport (KLIA) and klia2”.

He said more officers were expected to be transferred or relocated soon.

Sakib said investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement in the scandal which has rocked the country.

Elements of sabotage in the myIMMs at KLIA was first highlighted by Malay Mail on May 18.

On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed 100 people, including immigration personnel, were being investigated over breaches in the system. One of those involved is a foreigner.

“No one has been suspended. They have been moved to other departments, with some of them confined to desk duties,” said Sakib, adding staff at the headquarters in Putrajaya have also come under scrutiny.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation division director Datuk Azam Baki said they would step in if the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department found any element of corruption.

“This is a serious matter involving national security. MACC is monitoring it closely,” he said.

“We don’t want an overlap in investigations but will move in when the need arises.”

Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the sabotage of the immigration system was a threat to national security, adding the matter should be addressed quickly.

“I am glad the deputy prime minister is taking proactive measures to fix this,” he said.

The Malay Mail exposé revealed myIMMs was being deliberately crashed by individuals working with criminal elements to get people through immigration at KLIA.

A source at the Home Ministry said it was investigating the department, airline staff and employees of the systems development company.