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THE government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), has been urged to reassess and strengthen its policies on the entry of foreign nationals, following the exposure of a 'counter setting' syndicate operating at Malaysia’s border checkpoints.
President of the Association of Former Immigration Officers Malaysia (PBKIM), Datuk Shahul Hamid A Rahim, said weaknesses in current immigration policies have enabled agents to exploit the system, particularly at key entry points such as airports.
"The government must review its policies on the entry of foreign nationals—whether workers or tourists—because loopholes in these policies are being taken advantage of by agents through counter setting," he said.
"We need to implement a policy similar to Singapore’s, which strictly enforces its immigration laws."
Shahul added that the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) must identify problematic officers stationed at border entry points.
"Immigration officers posted at national entry points, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), are placed under the purview of the Malaysian Border Control Agency (AKPS)," he said.
"However, I am uncertain as to how far this transition of responsibilities under the new agency has been properly implemented, as there appears to be overlapping duties. This is a matter the KDN must address to determine why counter setting continues to persist."
He proposed the formation of a special task force involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), JIM, and AKPS to combat counter setting activities.
"Findings from MACC investigations could expose weaknesses in management that allow space for corrupt practices at border checkpoints."
"We do not want enforcement action to stop at arrests alone. There must be preventative measures to curb this recurring issue."
This comes in the wake of a major anti-corruption operation where 27 individuals, including 18 enforcement officers, were remanded on suspicion of being involved in a counter setting syndicate. The syndicate allegedly enabled the entry of foreign nationals into Malaysia without adhering to proper immigration procedures.
According to sources, the suspects—comprising 19 men and eight women aged between their 20s and 50s—were detained during raids conducted across Selangor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan last Tuesday.
They are believed to have accepted bribes in exchange for facilitating the unauthorised entry of foreign nationals into the country.
Following the operation, MACC seized more than RM200,000 in cash, as well as several items including gold jewellery, gold bars, cars, motorcycles, handbags, watches, and telecommunications devices. - September 15, 2025