In a video that has gone viral on Facebook recently, an Immigration officer at Johor Bahru in Malaysia was seen reaching over the counter to smack a man’s head with what seemed to be a booklet, Malaysian Gazette reports.

The officer then slammed the table multiple times while uttering verbal assaults to the man, who said nothing and did not react throughout the whole ordeal, reports malaysiandigest.com.

The video quickly went viral on Facebook, with many netizens expressing their disappointment over the officer’s unprofessional behaviour, with many pointing out the officer’s lack of empathy, with many stating that regardless, the man should be treated respectfully as a client seeking the services of the department.

The victim, a Bangladeshi, was applying for the voluntary repatriation 3+1 programme at one of the counters about 9:00am on 30 May when the slapping took place.

Here is the video:

In response to the video, the Department of Immigration chief director Dato’ Seri Haji Mustafar bin Haji Ali released a public statement condemning the aggressive behaviour exhibited by the officer.

‘The Immigration Department is seriously investigating the matter. The department’s senior management has taken immediate action by temporarily suspending the officer.

‘His action clearly tainted the image of the department and contradicted the ethical conduct of civil service.

‘The department will not compromise on officers who violate their integrity which could affect the good image of the department and will not protect those who commit similar offences.

‘Serious actions will be taken without compromise, including the possibility of termination of the officer in question,’ the statement reads.

The officer will face disciplinary action under the Civil Servants Regulations (Ethics & Discipline) Amendment 2002.