MACC hunt agent who 'assists' Chinese tourists held up by Immigration

PUTRAJAYA: Graft investigators have identified an individual believed to be the "go-to" person should tourists face problems or could not meet conditions set by the Immigration Department to enter the country.

It is learnt that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigators are actively looking for the agent, who is said to have asked for RM18,000 to resolve the recent case involving a Chinese tourist at the KLIA.

"The agent is a Malaysian and investigators believe that he has 'assisted' other Chinese tourists before," a source told The Star.

It is learnt that several Immigration officers would be called on Tuesday (June 4).

The MACC had already recorded statements from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and two others on Monday.

Tiong had barged into the arrival hall at KLIA on June 29 and created a commotion in an attempt to “free” a Chinese national who was prohibited entry into Malaysia.

Clarifying the matter, Tiong said he had to personally step in to help an employee of a China-based media company after she was allegedly held up by Immigration officers at KLIA on arrival from Shenzen.

The woman had alleged that although her travel documents were in order, she was denied entry by Immigration officers.

She claimed that she was asked to pay several thousand ringgit if she wanted to be allowed entry.

The woman had arrived in Malaysia with her superior, a senior official of a Chinese government-owned TV station.

It is learnt that while her superior was cleared and allowed entry by the Immigration Department, the woman who is the senior official's personal assistant was denied entry and allegedly told there were discrepancies in her travel documents.