Sabah migrants-smuggling syndicate busted, 5 immigration officers among 9 nabbed
Published on: Saturday, March 25, 2023
By: FMT
MACC says the syndicate operated by forcing every undocumented migrant to pay about RM2,500 to an immigration agent if they wished to leave Sabah through Tawau airport.
PETALING JAYA: Nine people, including five immigration officers, have been arrested for suspected involvement in a syndicate smuggling undocumented migrants into Sabah.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the five officers, aged between 30 and 41, were arrested in a joint operation with the immigration department on Thursday.
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The other four other suspects, all local Malaysians, are believed to be agents of undocumented migrants from neighbouring countries.
“The syndicate operated by forcing every undocumented migrant or temporary resident with incomplete documents to pay about RM2,500 to an immigration agent should they wish to leave Sabah through the Tawau airport,” Bernama quoted the anti-graft agency as saying.
MACC said the syndicate would then supply authentic MyKads and boarding passes, in the name of real MyKad holders, to the undocumented migrants.
The migrants will then clear immigration checks at Tawau airport and KLIA Terminal 2 after paying a bribe to the officers concerned.
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Mobile phones, identification cards and exit stamps from Sabah were confiscated during the operation.
Twelve undocumented migrants, who were found to have entered the country using the syndicate’s services, were also arrested by the national registration department (JPN).
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In a separate statement, immigration department director-general Ruslin Jusoh confirmed the arrest of the five officers.
He said the department would not be lenient or protect any of its officers who violate its code of conduct and tarnish its image.
“Stern action and punishment will be taken, including dismissal of the officers found guilty,” he said.
Ruslin said the immigration department would work closely with other agencies, such as MACC, to combat the smuggling of undocumented migrants.
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