BANGI: The Immigration Department has given assurance that its passport production process for the public is not affected following the graft charge against Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi which is related to the supply of passport chips.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the department was always prepared to ensure the stock of passports was sufficient and available.
“We are aware of the charges. However, we cannot elaborate on the matter now as we do not want it to be seen as prejudicial. What we can do is to ensure that Immigration is well-prepared and will make sure that passport stocks are available,” he told a press conference after officiating the Immigration DG Volleyball Cup at UNITEN, here, today.
Yesterday, the former deputy prime minister was slapped with 45 charges related to criminal breach of trust (CBT), graft and money laundering.
He was, among others, accused of receiving gratification as inducement to help Mastoro Kenny IT Consultant & Services, Data Sonic Group Berhad and Profound Radiance Sdn Bhd, and obtained contracts from the Home Ministry, of which Zahid used to be Home Minister.
He allegedly received a RM5 million cheque from a Datasonic Group director for the company to supply 12.5 million chips for Malaysian passports.
Meanwhile, Mustafar said thus far, the department did not receive any request from any agency to blacklist Zahid.
“If there is a demand, we will definitely implement it,” he said.