KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Tourist Guides Council has slammed the Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia (KPISM) over its recent comments against Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi's surprise visits to Johor border checkpoints.
The council's president Jimmy Leong Wie Kong, in a statement, rebuked KPISM's stance, labeling it as indicative of a 'non-serious' approach to addressing issues of significant public concern.
"Congestion at both the Johor border checkpoints, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) can continue to hamper Johor' aspiration to position itself as an attractive tourist and economic growth investment destination.
"Government employees are here to serve the public interest. If problems of congestion at both the checkpoints are not even addressed over the years with no clear solutions to solve it, there is a lot to say about efficiency or seriousness in solving the people's problem," he said.
He questioned whether immigration authorities understood the economic losses incurred by Johor due to inefficient clearance processes at the checkpoints.
"Does the immigration know how much Johor is losing in terms of economic investment every year?
"Does the immigration know how much we are losing in terms of attracting visitors and tourists from Singapore that can benefit the tourism industry in Johor and translate into revenue for Malaysia?
"What choice can the Johor MB make when these problems raised by the Johoreans seem to fall on deaf ears? What our MB is advocating is streamlined clearance processes and maximum operational efficiency at the checkpoints."
Leong said KPISM president Ajeet Singh Gurbax Singh's remarks were 'contumelious' and 'insulting,' and had implied negligence on the part of the state administration in addressing the needs of Johoreans.
"Such a statement made on a Union's platform where their roles should be confined to the welfare of the staff is considered a breach of protocol as the statement touches on state administration matters.
"A good civil servant will always act in the public interest. Malaysia stands on the threshold of a new era.
"(Hence,) it is time to review the role of such public servants if we want to see productivity on the horizon."
Previously, the Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia (KPISM) has taken aim at Onn Hafiz over his frequent surprise visits to BSI and KSAB border checkpoints.
Ajeet Singh had said that although the move was commendable, the MB should focus on issues regarding the people.
He said the the Johor MB visit to BSI on Sunday, where he found some counters closed, has led to some commotion on social media.
As such, he said the MB should look beyond issues at the border checkpoints and focus on other issues affecting the well-being of the people.