In a startling revelation, the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department has apprehended a group of foreigners attempting to manipulate information on their passports while registering for the Second Labour Recalibration Programme (RTK 2.0). The incident unfolded at the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department office, situated within the Home Ministry Complex at Jalan Duta on the morning of January 15. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh disclosed that 27 Bangladeshi men, accompanied by a local woman believed to be their employer's representative, were taken into custody on suspicion of passport data alterations.
The detection of this illicit activity was facilitated by the diligent use of the MyIMMS verification system by the Immigration Department's officers. The scrutiny revealed unauthorized modifications to the old passport numbers and personal details in the biodata pages of the passports belonging to the Bangladeshi men, aged between 24 and 46. In response, the 39-year-old local woman representing the employers was also detained, invoking Section 56(1A)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while the Bangladeshi men were detained under Section 56(1)(l) for allegedly amending travel documents without valid authority.
After their apprehension, all detainees were promptly escorted to the Intelligence and Operations Unit for further investigation. Subsequently, the 27 foreign nationals were transferred to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot for comprehensive investigations and necessary legal actions. Ruslin Jusoh underscored the importance of employers with registered illegal immigrants for the RTK 2.0 programme to promptly complete the verification process at the KL Immigration Department, cautioning against procrastination as RTK 2.0 is set to expire on March 31.
Emphasizing a no-compromise policy, Ruslin urged collective efforts to ensure that Malaysia remains free of illegal immigrants and those who employ or protect them. He emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to uphold the Immigration Act 1959/63 and other relevant regulations, stressing the severity of offenses related to harboring or supporting illegal immigrants. The director-general also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities by contacting the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department's Enforcement Division Complaints Unit.
This recent incident brings to light the challenges faced by immigration authorities in maintaining the integrity of programs designed to recalibrate and regulate the foreign workforce within the country. As Malaysia strives to create a secure and lawful environment, instances of passport tampering not only compromise national security but also disrupt the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at legalizing and managing migrant labor. The authorities' swift action serves as a stern warning to those attempting to undermine the established protocols, signaling the commitment to maintaining the rule of law and protecting the nation's interests. As the investigations unfold, the repercussions of this incident are likely to echo in the broader discourse surrounding immigration policies and the need for robust enforcement mechanisms.
Reference: 27 Bangladeshi workers held over passport tampering bids | The Star
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