UTC Immigration Incident - Minister Hamzah Zainuddin Apology & Responsibility for Disrespect/Harassment of Public/Media by his worker/contractors needed?

Did the Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin APOLOGIZE to the victims of the incident at the UTC at the Immigration Department to the people victims that suffered DISRESPECT, 'harassment', etc caused by one employee, he is responsible for? Not yet? WHY?

Did the Prime Minister and/or the government of Malaysia apologize, and take responsibility - including paying needed compensation, if need be?

It is the Minister/PM/government who is ultimately responsible for their employees or workers actions or omissions, including misbehavior and lack of respect not just to the media personal, but also all other persons who were there to receive public service from the government. 

This responsibility extends beyond public officers - but also other workers of contractors that the Minister/Ministry chose >>> That is clear.

But, in this recent incident of 'shame to the government', focus wrongly shifted to just ONE WORKER - when the Immigration Department, HOME MINISTER, PM and government of Malaysia failed to step up and take responsibility...

Police also just decided that they will not investigate and take action against that security guard - asking the people to take their own action, including civil suits, by themselves >>> and this is not RIGHT? Why was there no investigation against the 'bosses' of this guard, against the Minister responsible, against that private contractor that was given the contract by the Minister/Government to provide security guards or security services? Why just the 'worker' - and not the others?

Remember, besides a criminal action, the government can also commence a civil suit against the guard, the company he comes from, the Immigration Department and even the Home Minister...

The government must act, as the victims are the Malaysian people...and others who were there to receive service from the government..

REPORTERS - well former SUHAKAM HR Commissioner who was present did say that the target/victims of disrespect and harassment were not just the reporters but also the other people there..

EVIDENCE is there - there are VDO recordings of the incident ...so why 'cover-up' and not even apologize? Was that company that provided security service politically connected...or ...? No mention even of the name of the security company, let alone actions that the Minister, government will take - Will the contract be TERMINATED?

Whilst most responses, including from the Malaysian Bar, focused on the reporter victims - we must not forget the other victims. Blame should not fall just on that 'security guard' but certainly should be borne by the Immigration Department, Minister and Government...

Is is a government strategy to attempt to avoid responsibility by simply OUTSOURCING work to private companies? Before, that officer would be clearly a public officer - So, just because Minister/government choose not to employ public officers - and simply use a CONTRACTOR, it will not save the Minsiter or Government.

Has the MINISTER/government even demanded explanation apology from that 'PRIVATE COMPANY' that supplied such security guards.

RESPECT the people - Government Officers must treat people(their 'Bosses') with respect - this must be the POLICY. Now, some public officers fail in this aspect - and people are treated 'badly' at times. Making people stand up and wait long hours to receive public service should never happen. One former Thailand Prime Minister emphasized this, and now the public service, even the police, when it deals with people act courteously, even the police - a Good morning, can you please let me have your NRIC, etc 

BAD behaviour by your officers, even the workers of the contractors you use, is a reflection of how the government,PM, Minister,etc treats the people - should this good practice be followed in Malaysia?

The UTC incident (not that the alleged wrongdoing was proven by VDO documentation - which many have seen) - There was no APOLOGY from the Minister or  the Immigration Department. Also interesting, was the fact that there was also no apology from the company that supplied the security guard - Only Malaysian Security Industry Association gave an 'excuse' and not even an apology .

"Its president Datuk Seri Ramli Yusuff (pix) said the security guard was unaware of how to resolve conflicts when confronted with situations that would result in him being unable to carry out his duties professionally.“All security guards must attend training on conflict resolution before they are stationed at any designated premises, but we are unsure whether this particular security guard had attended such training, which usually consists of legal education, communication skills, disciplinary training and self-defence. They must also learn when and where they can use their power.”

UTC is a government establishment -  so, the people demand the government bear responsibility for the actions/omissions of all workers/contractors. The admission of 'lack of training' by Association is disturbing >>> anyway, these private contractors really have no power in law to police the people ...Power is in the hands of government and the relevant law enforcement authorities...

Do they even have notices in government establishment informing people of where and how they can lodge complaints - it is best that the government employs and uses public officers >>> rather than some private company. 

Security guard yelled at everyone, not just journalists, says former Suhakam commissioner

By ALIZA SHAHSaturday, 14 May 202211:45 PM MYT;">

PETALING JAYA: Neither the media nor the public should be barred from telling the truth, says human rights activist Jerald Joseph.

The former Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner was in the Pudu Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Kuala Lumpur and witnessed the incident involving the two journalists and a security officer.

Joseph also said the public was also shouted at and warned not to take any videos.

"There was a private (security) guard walking, screaming and shouting, trying to scold people to get into lines where there was no clear system for lining up from the start.

"He warned people not to take any videos or he would call the police.

"People should be allowed to use their handphones, journalists must be allowed to move freely in public spaces to do their work.

"Fear of informing people is trying to hide messy systems of managing crowds for services," said Joseph.

The journalists were told that they are not allowed to take pictures and speak to those standing in line along the corridors without formal approval.

A one-minute-long video of the incident was uploaded on Twitter.

In the footage, a security guard can be heard yelling at a reporter, who is heard questioning why he is not allowed to report the situation at the Immigration Department in Pudu UTC.

Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Noor Dellhan Yahaya said that the police were aware of the matter.

"The security guard lodged a report at 12.09pm. It is understood that the representatives from the news portal are in the midst of making their own," he said. -Star, 14/5/2022

‘UTC security guard lacked training’


IMAN MUTTAQIN
05- 20- 2022 10:00 AM



Ramli said all security guards must attend training on conflict resolution before they are stationed at any designated premises.


PETALING JAYA: The lack of training in conflict resolution is the cause of the Pudu Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) issue where on-duty reporters were allegedly harassed and threatened by a security guard, said the Malaysian Security Industry Association.

Its president Datuk Seri Ramli Yusuff (pix) said the security guard was unaware of how to resolve conflicts when confronted with situations that would result in him being unable to carry out his duties professionally.

“All security guards must attend training on conflict resolution before they are stationed at any designated premises, but we are unsure whether this particular security guard had attended such training, which usually consists of legal education, communication skills, disciplinary training and self-defence. They must also learn when and where they can use their power.”

Ramli said it is up to the owner of the premises to decide the job scope of their security guards.

“Security guards must complete the tasks given to them, depending on the job scope decided by their superiors. But in this case, perhaps the security guard in the viral video had gone overboard.

“Investigations are being carried out by the police. However, the association will contact the UTC management to look into the case from our point of view.”

Ramli reminded all security guards to understand their jobs and be polite, sensible but firm when carrying out their duties.

In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of Peninsular Malaysia had urged the government to protect the rights of media personnel and to promptly establish a media council of all-inclusive and independent organisations.

“Disruption and hindrance to media work is not a new issue,” said its president Farah Marshita, adding that whenever intimidation of media employees occurs, no accountable parties assist or fight for the cause of the media.

She said it is clear that all parties prefer to sit back and wait for certain circumstances to happen before taking action, to protect media personnel who are carrying out their responsibilities as journalists.

Farah expressed fear that similar situations will happen if no firm action is taken against any party who threatens or commits physical and verbal violence against media personnel

Last Friday, a security guard on duty at the immigration counter at UTC allegedly abused and threatened two reporters from a portal who went to check on the long queues of people renewing their passports.

The verbal assault began when the security guard on duty refused to let the reporters speak to people who had been waiting in line for several hours.

The reporters, who were exposed to verbal intimidation, were informed that they could not take pictures or speak to the public unless they obtained written permission from the management.

Attempts by theSun to obtain comments from the Immigration Department were unsuccessful. - The Sun, 20/5/2022