Malaysian immigration officers arrested for allegedly allowing foreigners to enter without checks
Authorities arrested five Malaysian immigration officers for corruption.
They also seized about RM3.3 million (S$1 million) in assets.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) posted a statement on TikTok on Sunday (14 Sept).
In it, the MACC said they suspected the group of allowing foreigners to enter the country without proper immigration checks.
Source: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission via Bebas News
5 arrested manned immigration counters at Malaysian airport
MACC officers arrested a total of six people during raids conducted from 9 to 11 Sept.
In the statement, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests.
Authorities carried out the enforcement action as part of Op Rentas.
The large-scale operation targets syndicates involved in the practice known as ‘counter-setting’.
The term refers to the act of allowing foreigners to enter without proper inspection.
Immigration officers direct them through predetermined lanes at entry points.
Among the six arrested were five officers who manned immigration counters at the airport.
Authorities believe the officers received money in return for ‘counter-setting’.
Source: Google Maps
S$1 million in assets seized
Authorities seized about RM3.3 million (S$1 million) in assets during the raids.
They believe the assets were obtained through corruption.
They included 3.2kg of jewellery worth RM1.6 million (S$488,000).
Source: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission via Bebas News
Also seized were:
- a plot of land
- a house
- several luxury vehicles
- various handbags
- 20 branded watches worth approximately RM100,000 (S$30,500)
- RM20,000 (S$6,100) in cash
Source: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission via Bebas News
70 bank accounts were also frozen, MACC said.
The suspects are being investigated under Section 17A of the MACC Act, which relates to bribery.
Those convicted face a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of at least five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000 (S$3,000), whichever is higher.
Married Malaysian immigration officers detained over ‘counter setting’
On Saturday (13 Sept), MACC said in a separate statement that it had detained two immigration officers who are a married couple.
The couple are in their 40s.
Both are suspects in facilitating the entry of foreigners without complete documentation over a period of four years.
The amount of bribes they allegedly received was enough for them to open a jewellery shop with about RM600,000 (S$183,000) in capital.
Source: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission via Kosmo
They allegedly opened the store in the names of the woman’s sister and their child.
A court in Melaka granted the remand application as part of the investigation into the case.
Authorities then remanded the couple for five days, from 10 to 14 Sept.
Also read: S’porean Gives M’sian Officer S$33 Bribe To Skip Quarantine, Gets Arrested For Corruption
S’porean Gives M’sian Officer S$33 Bribe To Skip Quarantine, Gets Arrested For Corruption
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Featured image adapted from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission via Bebas News.
