Immigration system deliberately brought down, source says
(MMO) – “It is believed the system may be downed deliberately, suggesting corruption”
Authorities suspect the online Immigration system that screens passengers leaving and entering KL International Airport has been compromised by “suspicious” breakdowns.
A highly-placed Home Ministry source said it was probing all parties involved in operating myIMMs, a crucial system of airport security implemented about 20 years ago.
“It is believed the system may be downed deliberately, suggesting corruption,” the source said.
“Those manning and operating the electronic screening of passengers — from the authorities to airline staff and employees of the system development company — are being investigated.”
The source said the frequent “crashes” had raised serious questions about whether myIMMs was fit for its purpose during a time of severe threat from terrorists, people smugglers and other criminals.
“The high number of ‘breakdowns’ also suggests that many on watch lists could have gone under the radar,” the source added.
The myIMMs system was linked to Interpol’s I-Checkit in 2014 to enable authorities to verify within seconds if a passport had been stolen or reported lost.
The source said that when the system crashed, passports would be stamped manually.
“Their data is supposed to be input into the system once it is operational again, but this is not being done.”
