MACC nabs immigration deputy director in syndicate probe

PUTRAJAYA: An Immigration Department deputy director has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as graft busters continued to nab individuals linked to an immigration syndicate.

According to a source, the deputy director, who is based at KLIA, and two other immigration officers were the latest to be arrested as part of a major MACC and Immigration Department joint operation called Ops Selat.

MACC is also seeking a remand extension for 10 other suspects.

ADVERTISEMENT

“They have been brought to the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court for a remand order to be obtained,” said a source.

Two civilians who allowed their bank accounts to be used for the transaction of bribes have been released on bail.

To date, 53 people have been arrested since Nov 16, including 33 immigration officers attached to KLIA, klia2 and the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine building (BIS).

More than RM800,000 in cash, 26 luxury cars and four high-powered motorcycles were confiscated.

ADVERTISEMENT

When contacted, MACC investigations director Norazlan Mohd Razali confirmed the arrests but declined to comment further.

It was previously reported that the syndicate catered to employers of foreign workers who wanted them to remain here or return to their home country.

The syndicate had two modus operandi, the first being a “flying passport” for those who came to Malaysia using social visas but were working here illegally.

The agents of the workers would collect their passports and pay the immigration officers to stamp their passports to indicate that they had left the country after three months and re-entered legally.

Its other modus operandi was “setting counters” for migrants who have been blacklisted for immigration offences.

The migrants would go to these particular counters at airports and pay up to RM6,000 to be allowed to leave the country even though they had been blacklisted from travelling.