PUTRAJAYA: More than RM1bil in revenue has been collected by the Immigration Department for the first quarter of the year.

       This is almost 30% of the RM3.5bil, which the department targets to collect for the year, said Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

       “Under the key performance index set by the Home Minister, the target is for the department to record RM1.4bil in revenue by June.

       “Based on our record, I believe this target can be met,” he said at the department’s excellent service award ceremony yesterday.

       Khairul Dzaimee said the department had embarked on several initiatives to serve the people better.

       Among others, the immigration control posts in Pengalungan in Sabah and Bario in Sarawak now issue cross border passes for residents in the area.

       Prior to this, those in the two areas would have to travel 100km by boat and by four-wheel drive vehicles to Miri and Keningau just to obtain the RM20 document.

       “We have also adopted the ‘no wrong door’ policy for renewal of social visit passes and work permits where they can be done at any of our offices,” he added.

       Khairul Dzaimee said a list of new initiatives to manage foreigners is also in the pipeline so that their presence in the country can be handled efficiently and effectively.