PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department is putting an end to cash transactions at its counters by the end of the year.

The move is among its measures to be more client-friendly, to eradicate corruption and strengthen the integrity of the department.

Immigration director-general Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim (pic) said all cash payments would be replaced with online payments.

Among the categories that involve cash transactions currently are getting a foreign worker’s permit, passport – new and renewals, visa, expatriate pass, PR pass, border pass and a student pass.

He said the public would have the option of making online payments or paying by bank draft and maybe through vending machines located at Immigration offices.

Going cashless, said Mustafa, was the best way to achieve the department’s motto of Cepat, Mudah dan Berintegriti (Fast, Easy and with Integrity) and to enable its clients to deal with its staff without any negative perceptions because there would be no more cash exchanged at the counter.

Allegations of people slipping extra notes in with the actual fee for the transaction have been around for some time.-thestar