Argument Refused To Enter Malaysia, Foreign Tourists Beaten By Officers At Kuala Lumpur Airport

Illustration of the plane waiting for the arrival of passengers who are still at the airport. (Pexels-Nata Romualdo)

JAKARTA - Director General of Immigration of Malaysia Zakaria Shaaban spoke about foreign tourists being beaten by officers at Terminal 1 Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Zakaria explained that foreign tourists who were victims of beatings during an argument with the officer were included in the Not To Land (NTL) list or the ban on landing in certain countries. He also ensured that Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) officers were not involved in the incident.

"For foreign tourists who do not meet the requirements, NTL will be issued under Article 24 of the Immigration Law 1959/63," Zakaria said in a written statement, Wednesday, November 20, quoted by Bernama.

Turis yang telah diberi NTL akan diserahkan ke maskapai penerbangan pengembalian mereka ke titik keberangkatan terakhir mereka," sambungnya.

Zakaria added that airlines will be responsible for repatriating foreign tourists labeled NTL from Malaysia to arrival countries.

While waiting for the deportation process, the foreign tourist with NTL status was secured in a special area at the Kuala Lumpur Airport holding lounge (HL).

This area is air-conditioned, there is a waiting chair, and is close to basic facilities such as toilets. They are also provided with food three times a day by airlines," he said.

Previously, the neighboring state media reported that an officer at Kuala Lumpur Airport allegedly poked the face of a foreign tourist who was refused entry to Malaysia.

The incident is said to have occurred in a special rest area for foreigners with NTL status.