Immigration officer arrested near KLIA for accepting RM22k bribe

PUTRAJAYA: An Immigration officer stationed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been arrested for allegedly demanding RM22,000 to release two Chinese nationals.

The 26-year-old officer was arrested after being caught red-handed by Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers on Wednesday (Dec 2).

He was said to have been nabbed by anti-graft officers while he was accepting the bribe at a petrol station near KLIA around 7pm.

Sources said the suspect had demanded money for the release of two Chinese nationals who were arrested on Nov 30.

The foreigners were arrested over suspicion of using fake immigration stamps.

"The suspect's activities are not part of the Ops Selat syndicate. Investigation revealed that he acts alone and has been doing this for some time now," said sources.

The recent blitz on Ops Selat saw 39 Immigration officers arrested over "stamping service" activities of a syndicate operating at several entry points.

Sources said it was discovered that the Immigration officer would provide agents with details of Chinese nationals who were arrested for immigration violations at KLIA.

"The agents will contact family members of those arrested to ask for money to secure their release," said a source.

Selangor MACC director Datuk Alias Salim confirmed the arrest.