Former immigration officer detained in over RM10mil graft probe

KUANTAN: A former Immigration Department officer has been detained to assist in an investigation into corruption amounting to over RM10mil, involving a syndicate that smuggled foreigners into the country through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals 1 and 2 without inspection.

The 50-year-old man was arrested at the Pahang branch office of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at 11.55pm on Tuesday (April 15).

The suspect, who took early retirement on Jan 1, 2024, has been remanded from Wednesday (April 16) until April 22 to facilitate investigations under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

Pahang MACC director Mohd Shukor Mahmud confirmed the arrest.

It was reported on Tuesday (April 15) that three Immigration Department personnel, including a woman, had been arrested in connection with the same investigation.

They were detained during an operation conducted by the Pahang MACC in Nilai, Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur.

The individuals are believed to have been involved in smuggling foreigners into the country without going through the required inspections at entry points between 2021 and 2024.

The syndicate is believed to have earned millions in bribes, which were allegedly distributed among other immigration personnel.

They have also been accused of acting as “tali barut” (lackeys), facilitating the release of groups of foreigners who arrived without following the prescribed procedures, using a counter-setting modus operandi at the airport. – Bernama.