PUTRAJAYA, July 28 — The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended criminal action against several Immigration Department (JIM) officers found to have abused their power by illegally issuing visas for medical purposes to foreigners.
The EAIC said the investigation, carried out by a Special Task Force led by EAIC Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik, focused on the issuance of social visit passes under the medical visa category to foreigners from several countries without going through the proper process.
According to the EAIC, the investigation included reviewing approval procedures, recording witness statements, seizing documents and preparing recommendations for further action by the authorities.
“The investigation found that there was abuse of power by immigration officers who approved medical visas to foreigners from several countries, despite being aware that the application documents submitted were incomplete and did not comply with the criteria under the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,” it said in a statement today.
Following these findings, the EAIC decided to refer the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers in accordance with Paragraph 30(1)© of Act 700.
The EAIC said that criminal charges have been recommended against the officers involved under the Penal Code (Act 574); the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155); and/or the Passports Act 1966 (Act 150). — Bernama