KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 15 -- The Immigration Services Union of Peninsular Malaysia (KPISM) has condemned the assault and verbal abuse of a female Immigration Department officer on duty at the KLIA Terminal 1 Immigration Inspection Counter on Wednesday.

The union said such acts are tantamount to challenging the sovereignty of Malaysian law, and tourists must respect the laws of the countries they visit.

"Immigration officers are the frontline defenders of the nation's sovereignty," its president Ajeet Singh said in a statement here.

"Assaulting them while on duty is not only an uncivilised act, but also tarnishes the nation's image and jeopardises security at international entry points."

KPISM said the incident occurred at around 7.40am wh...