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THREE immigration officers and a café owner appeared in the Johor Bharu Sessions Court today, facing multiple corruption charges linked to so-called ‘counter setting’ at Pasir Gudang and Muar Ferry Terminals between three years ago and last year.
All defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read separately before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.
The first defendant, Md Azhar Jamal, 40, an officer at the Pasir Gudang Immigration Office, is accused of 14 counts of accepting bribes ranging from RM400 to RM4,500, totalling RM28,600, transferred online from a woman’s bank account.
“This was related to the official duties of the defendant, who was responsible for checking and ensuring the travel documents of foreign nationals entering or leaving Malaysia were valid,” the prosecution noted.
The alleged offences occurred at a Simpang Renggam bank branch in Kluang between 16 July 2024 and 24 February 2025. He faces charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both if convicted.
The second defendant, Ridzal Mohd Yasin, 43, stationed at the Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal Immigration Checkpoint, faces two counts of accepting cash bribes totalling RM1,700 from a ticket agent. The bribes were allegedly given to facilitate the entry of Indonesian travellers into Malaysia and to avoid thorough inspection of their travel documents.
“These acts were committed in a restroom near the immigration counter at the Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal, around April 2023 and August 2023,” the court heard.
A third civil servant, Hairizam Mohamed, 58, from the Operations Control Division (Maritime) at Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal, is charged with accepting RM100 from a man to facilitate Indonesian travellers’ entry into Malaysia. The alleged offence occurred at the Pasir Gudang Immigration Office at around 7 p.m. on 28 August 2024.
The fourth accused, café owner Haslan Hazilah, 57, is charged with accepting RM1,200 in cash from a middleman to assist in the smooth entry and exit of Indonesian travellers via Muar Ferry Terminal. The offence allegedly took place at his café in Muar on 11 November 2024.
The charges were brought under Sections 16(a)(B) and 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
The prosecution was conducted by MACC officers Ameera D’Aneez Mohd Shukari, Fazal Lisam Abidin and Muhd Faizul Kamaro Zaman. Md Azhar was represented by lawyer Abd Rahim Ali, Ridzal by Mohammad Muzammil Mohammad Hairiri, Hairizam by Suhaila Shafi’uddin, and Haslan by Nurashidah Md Razip.
The court granted bail of RM10,000 for Md Azhar, while Ridzal, Hairizam, and Haslan were each released on RM8,000 bail with additional conditions to surrender their international passports and report monthly to the nearest MACC office.
The case is scheduled for document submission on 24 and 25 February. - January 21, 2026
Johor Bahru, Corruption, MACC, Immigration Officers, Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal, Muar Ferry Terminal, Bribery, Court Case, Public Officials
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In addition to the drugs, police also confiscated a Honda Civic valued at RM80,000. The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at RM1.08 million - January 21, 2026
Drug syndicate using budget hotel as transit hub and mini lab busted in Johor Bahru dismantled
Raub stated that initial investigations revealed the suspects frequently moved between budget hotels in order to evade law enforcement
POLICE in Johor Bahru have dismantled a drug distribution syndicate that was using a budget hotel as both a transit point and a makeshift laboratory, following the arrest of two men at a hotel in Danga Bay last Friday.
According to South Johor Bahru District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat, the suspects, aged 35 and 37, were apprehended at around 3 a.m. in their hotel room.
"Following the arrest of the two suspects in the hotel room, police seized 2.25 grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of ketamine, and 80 grams of yaba pills," he said.
"Subsequently, we raided another room in the same hotel and discovered 7.7884 kilograms of ecstasy along with equipment used for drug processing."
In addition to the drugs, police also confiscated a Honda Civic valued at RM80,000. The total value of the drugs seized is estimated at RM1.08 million.
Raub stated that initial investigations revealed the suspects frequently moved between budget hotels in order to evade law enforcement.
He added that the syndicate, which has been operating for the past two months, purchased drugs in bulk, repackaged them, and sold each packet for RM250.
"The total amount of drugs seized could supply up to 80,184 users," he said.
Checks also revealed that both suspects have prior criminal and drug-related records, and urine tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in their system.
The two men have been remanded until tomorrow to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. - January 21, 2026