The law and institutional reform minister said the anti-graft agency had opened an investigation paper but she could not divulge information beyond that as the matter was still being probed.

“Nevertheless, the government places an emphasis on good governance and will carry out improvements to ensure smooth tourist arrivals,” she said in a written parliamentary reply.

Azalina was responding to Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) who asked for an update on the investigation into tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing’s allegations earlier this year.

Tiong was at the centre of a commotion at the country’s main gateway in June after he had barged into the arrival hall without a pass to help a Chinese national who was being detained.

Tiong later denied he was attempting to help secure the release of the foreigner and claimed that immigration officers were charging as much as RM3,000 to release travellers they had detained.

It was later reported that MACC had taken the statement of two Chinese nationals over the incident and was acting against an individual who acted as an agent and allegedly solicited bribes amounting to RM18,000 to resolve such cases.