Dedicated welfare fund for Immigration retirees proposed in Budget 2027
PETALING JAYA: A dedicated welfare fund for retired Immigration personnel should be among priorities in Budget 2027, with support channelled towards healthcare, cost-of-living assistance and social programmes, said Association of Former Immigration Officers of Malaysia president Datuk Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim.
He added that former staff should continue to be recognised as part of the country’s security workforce even after leaving active service.
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“The welfare of Immigration retirees should be seen as part of an investment in human capital that once protected national security.
“Retirees may no longer be in service, but they have spent a large part of their lives in the security and border control system,” he told theSun.
Shahul, a former head of Immigration operations at the KL International Airport, said the government could consider channelling a special allocation through the Home Ministry to support welfare programmes for former personnel.
“I hope the government, through the Home Ministry, can provide a special allocation for our welfare fund so that we can look after Immigration retirees who spent many years guarding the country’s borders.
“They should be given attention. My hope is that Budget 2027 will address the cost of living, healthcare, access to treatment, retirees in need and social support programmes.”
Shahul said welfare assistance should reflect actual needs, particularly those of older former officers and individuals with greater medical requirements.
“Among the most critical are periodic health screenings, easier access to treatment, mental health programmes and wellbeing support for senior citizens.
“Health support should not only be seen as treatment after a person falls ill. Early screening programmes can help reduce the long-term health burden,” he said.
He added that partnerships could be established with government agencies or institutions to provide targeted programmes for retirees from security and enforcement services.
Shahul said the experience of former Immigration personnel should also be harnessed to strengthen the training of new officers, particularly in border control, behavioural assessment and dealing with syndicates.
“Retirees possess experience that cannot be gained entirely through textbooks or formal courses.
They have faced real situations in the field, including how to identify suspicious behaviour, understand smuggling methods and handle operational pressure.
“That experience can be used through mentorship programmes, guest lectures, real-case simulations or the sharing of operational lessons with new officers.”
However, Shahul said their experience should be complemented by current laws, standard operating procedures and technology, allowing the department to benefit from both practical knowledge and modern enforcement methods.
“We should not merely repeat old ways. We want to combine past experience with current technology and enforcement methods.”
