KUALA LUMPUR: A five-year rotation period for high-risk roles, such as those at immigration counters, may be ineffective in combating corruption, as dishonest officers can establish networks within months, according to crime analysts.
Crime analyst Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim, a crime analyst, said that corrupt officers can embed themselves within systems in months. He suggested that rotations in high-risk positions should occur every one to three years to disrupt misconduct and collusion.
"Anything longer risks allowing unethical practices to take root, making the policy more performative than transformative," he told The New Straits Times.
Shahul acknowledged the benefits of personnel rotation, noting that it raises the cost of corruption as regular changes force criminal networks to constantly re-establish relationships, increasing their operational costs and risks.
He added that a visible commitment to rotation boosts the institutional reputation, signalling that the department is serious about integrity and restoring public confidence.
However, he cautioned that corrupt officers could maintain informal networks across previous postings, allowing misconduct to persist even after rotation.
"To counteract this, the department must deploy robust surveillance and audit systems to detect and deter such tactics, coupled with heavy penalties for breaches," he said.
Shahul also said that personnel rotation should be complemented by systemic reforms.
"The immigration department must deploy technology by installing body cameras, using biometric data for accountability, and employ AI to flag anomalies in operations.
"They must also ensure swift and severe consequences for misconduct as without real deterrents, rotation is just optics. Leaders must also be held directly responsible for integrity breaches within their teams," he added.
He also suggested that fully automated exit-entry systems could significantly reduce criminal activity and corruption.
"Personnel rotation should not be treated as a silver bullet. It's a tactical move in a broader battle against systemic corruption.
"The Immigration Department must not just rotate its personnel but also overhaul its culture, embrace transparency, and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for corruption," Shahul concluded.
Malaysian Corruption Watch (MCW) president Jais Abdul Karim echoed these sentiments, adding that while personnel rotation is a widely acknowledged strategy for minimising integrity risks, its success hinges on strict implementation and monitoring.
"A rotation period of three to five years strikes a balance between continuity, allowing personnel to gain expertise, and preventing over-familiarity with routines or external parties.
"However, high-risk areas, like immigration counters, may benefit from shorter rotations such as two to three years to minimise complacency and corruption risks," he said to New Straits Times.
Jais added that the immediate advantages of personnel rotation in breaking potential networks between staff and external actors, such as smugglers.
"Staff are less likely to engage in misconduct if they know they will be transferred before any illicit arrangements can solidify."
Yet, he noted that criminal networks might exploit personnel transitions by establishing connections with new staff during their adjustment periods.
"Implementing robust onboarding and integrity screening for rotated personnel, along with continuous oversight, can help counter these strategies," said Jais.
Jaid also proposed additional measures to enhance personnel rotation, including randomised integrity tests such as simulated bribe offers that can help identify vulnerable personnel and deter misconduct.
"Creating a safe reporting system for misconduct can also reveal cases that rotation alone might overlook."
Yesterday, the Immigration Department said it aims to fully rotate its personnel to eradicate integrity issues by mid-next year.
Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the move is a measure to minimise the risk of misconduct, including issues related to counter setting.