KLIA immigration officers arrested over smuggling Bangladeshis

PUTRAJAYA: Several immigration officers based at KL International Airport have been arrested as part of investigations into the smuggling of Bangladeshis by syndicates.

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said the investigations would determine if the officers had a hand in the illegal activities.

He vowed to take severe action against those who violate the department’s code of ethics and integrity and has not ruled the possibility of more arrests.

The department is monitoring the activities of its officers at KLIA, he added.

"We have also sent a taskforce to Dhaka to look into the case.

"They will also see how the standard operating procedure on the issuance of visitor visas can be improved to prevent abuse and put a stop to the smuggling activities,” he said when met at the deparment’s monthly assembly on Tuesday.

It was reported that four syndicates were behind the smuggling of Bangladeshi workers into the country via KLIA.

It is believed the syndicates are raking RM5.2mil in profits annually by charging between RM15,000 and RM20,000 each person, allegedly including bribes, to make it easier for them to bypass the authorities including Immigration and Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka.

According to the report, there are at least 38 flights operating from Dhaka to KLIA daily.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had ordered the Immigration department to track the syndicates and put a stop to such problems.