Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Immigration Department director denied allegations involving the detention of Sarawak’s Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).
Noor Alam Khan Abdul Wahid Khan said the officer on duty at the KKIA Immigration counter about 6pm on March 30 when Masing presented a Special Identification, had only conducted a regular identification screening procedure when he asked Masing to present his identification card to verify his use of the Special Identification document.
“It was a misunderstanding as the Immigration officer on duty was just conducting a documentation screening as he would other passengers’ identification cards and passports.
“Although the minister did present his ‘Pengenalan Istimewa’ (Special Identification) document, it was not immediately explanatory and not all of our officers are used to seeing such documents.
“Hence, our officer asked him (Masing) to present his identification card,” said Noor Alam when contacted here yesterday.
Noor Alam said the officer on duty during the incident had been contacted and had clarified the situation at that point of time, whereby Masing had presented his Special Identification document to the immigration officer.
Masing was then asked to present his identification card to verify his identity, which was a normal procedure, he added.
He said Masing was not detained as he was not brought into a special room at the airport. The incident took place at the Immigration counter when Masing was exiting the state instead of entering, as previously reported in the media.
Masing had on March 31 reported that he was detained by Sabah Immigration Officers on March 30 for being mistaken as an imposter.
He had shown his Special Identification document, a special pass used by political representatives and ministers at the counter but was allegedly not allowed in, as they believed he was using a fake pass.
The confusion apparently was due to his attire, as Masing was in jeans and tee-shirt.
Masing was quoted as saying that he had a tough time convincing the officers that he was genuine despite his clothing.
“I was detained probably because I was wearing jeans. I did not realise that YBs and ministers must use smart attire in Sabah.
“It was embarrassing. I have to prove that I am James Masing as shown in the identity card,” said Masing.