KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's complaints body has found no negligence on the part of immigration officers over a case involving a detainee's missing belongings, but flagged weaknesses in how such items are handled.

"Investigations revealed that the loss of the detainee's belongings was not due to the immigration officer's negligence," Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) said in a statement today.

The commission said this in its findings, following a complaint alleging that a detainee's belongings were not returned upon their release from the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot.

The EAIC is a government body that looks into complaints from the public about misconduct by enforcement officers or agencies.

EAIC, however, said improvements are needed to avoid misunderstandings or false accusations against officers.

"However, several weaknesses were identified in the management and handling of detainees belongings, which need to be improved to prevent misunderstandings or accusations against the officers on duty, "it said.

The EAIC also urged the Immigration Department to improve the handling of detainees' belongings and to ensure the process complies with existing standard operating procedures.

SUMBER : New Straits Times