Investigators suspect ‘setting counter’ activities occurring at KLIA

PUTRAJAYA: Claims by a Chinese tourist that she was asked to pay RM18,000 to help her resolve issues at the KLIA have led graft investigators to suspect that “setting counter” activities are occurring there.

Investigators believe the individual who sought the payment has also been helping other Chinese tourists facing problems enter the country.

They are now on the hunt for the agent, a Malaysian who is believed to be a foreign worker agent.

“From this incident, it is quite obvious that setting counter activities are happening at KLIA and KLIA2.

“The agent has been identified and investigators are tracking him,” said a source with knowledge of the case.

Setting counters is a modus operandi where “problematic” foreigners would be informed which Immigration counters they should queue up at to facilitate their entry.

It has been learnt that four Immigration officers at KLIA have had their statements recorded over the June 29 incident involving a Chinese female tourist.

However, it is not immediately known if investigators have concluded questioning them.

On Monday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission took statements from Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the tourist and a witness over the incident.

According to earlier reports, a Cabinet minister had barged into the arrival hall at KLIA and created a commotion in an attempt to free a Chinese national who was prohibited entry into Malaysia.

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

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

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