Customs director-general Anis Rizana Zainudin said the transfers were meant to increase the productivity of the officers as well as to curb any abuse of power and corruption.

“These transfers allow the officers to provide a different perspective and introduce new approaches to increase organisational efficiency in the new postings,” she said in a statement.

Anis said the transfers were in line with the department’s policies for officers who have served between three and five years to be relocated.

However, those involved in the latest transfer exercise were officers who had been based in the same locality for over seven years.

“We also allow for these transfers to be postponed and, to date, several have been deferred on different grounds, including family (matters), health, and their children’s schooling,” she said.

The department, she said, had placed emphasis on the welfare of its officers in line with its aim to become an efficient organisation.

Earlier today, the customs officers’ union called on Putrajaya to rescind all involuntary interstate transfers for the officers, citing their welfare.

Kesatuan Pegawai Kastam Semenanjung Malaysia president Abdul Malik Zin said the forced relocations had caused mental distress and burdened the officers financially.

He claimed that the 4,000-member union had received 24 complaints about the involuntary transfers.