Tapan Saha, general secretary of the Textile Garments Workers’ Federation of Bangladesh, flew to Malaysia on Nov 17 to attend an international conference organised by the Petaling Jaya-based North South Initiative.

However, when he arrived at KLIA at 3.30am, an immigration officer approached him and asked for his passport, return ticket, and invitation letter to the conference.

Tapan told Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star: “The officer then asked how much money I had. I said I had US$50 (RM203). As the organisers were supposed to bear my expenses, I did not need to carry additional money.”

After this encounter, Tapan claimed most of his money, his luggage, and his mobile phone were taken from him.

He was then forced into a room crowded with about 70 people from nine different countries, including around 25 Bangladeshis.

In the room, Tapan alleged he and several of his compatriots experienced physical violence from some of the officers.

The next evening, he was deported, but not before another officer demanded even more money from him, he said.

He said he had Tk800 (RM39) which the officer from the previous day had not taken.

Tapan added that he converted Tk600 (RM29) into ringgit and paid the officer.

Tapan said he had spoken to the Malaysian Immigration Department in Kuala Lumpur and the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka, but had not received a response from either.

This is the second time this year that a Bangladeshi has alleged abuse by KLIA immigration officers.

In July, Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Adilur Rahman Khan claimed he was detained, abused and deported after he had arrived at KLIA.

Meanwhile, when contacted, immigration director-general Mustafar Ali said he was investigating the matter.

“I am not sure what actually happened but I am getting all the details from my officers. That is all I can say for now,” he told FMT.