Immigration officers were not involved in the incident showing an official allegedly punching a foreigner at KLIA’s “not to land” (NTL) area, a spokesperson of the Home Ministry said.

“No officers from the immigration were involved in this. They are only tasked with deciding on NTL (whether a tourist can enter Malaysia or not).

“If the immigration officer denies a tourist entry into the country, they will be sent to NTL.

“From there, they fall under the purview of the airline that brought them here,” the spokesperson told Malaysiakini.

More to follow

Earlier, Malaysiakini published a story showing improper conduct by officials manning NTL, including punching a foreigner.

In a three-second video believed to have been taken on Nov 11, an official was seen punching the face of a foreigner for unknown reasons and told the latter to move to another spot - believed to be a room.

In another clip, which also runs for three seconds, the same official was seen yelling “ingat aku kuli, sial” (do you think I’m your servant) at the foreigners present.

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A third clip, which runs for 22 seconds, shows how the NTL space is crowded - with some tourists even seen seated and lying on the floor.

Take responsibility

Elaborating, the spokesperson stressed that an airliner must be responsible enough to send back foreigners denied entry into Malaysia.

“Before this, airliners appointed Mono Circle Sdn Bhd to handle these tourists, including providing them with food and return tickets.

“Later, Immigration officers were accused of soliciting money, which is untrue.

“That is the reason why the minister (Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) decided that airliner should take up the responsibility instead.

“So, why do you need to give the tourists boarding pass when they have no return tickets?” the spokesperson asked.

Mono Circle not manning NTL

Touching on Mono Circle, the spokesperson said the company no longer manages NTL.

“You (airliners) appointed Mono Circle but they are no longer doing it (managing NTLs).

“So, airliners cannot wash their hands off this and take the responsibility to provide them with food and return tickets. This is a standard international practice.”

Malaysiakini has reached out to the airliner for comments.

It should be noted that Mono Circle was appointed by the KLIA Airline Operators Committee (AOC) to manage tourists kept in NTL.

It is established by 40 airliners and 26 affiliate companies.

Although Mono Circle is no longer managing NTLs, a search on the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) website on Nov 19 showed it still lists KLIA Arrival Hall 3 as its address.