JOHOR BARU: Three immigration officers are among five suspects arrested for allegedly assisting the illegal entry of foreigners.
It was learnt that the five, including a woman, were arrested separately between 5pm and 11pm on Tuesday (March 5) at the Johor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office here and around the Larkin area.
“A team from the Johor Immigration Department’s Integrity Division was conducting regular checks at the Senai International Airport when they learned about the possible involvement of its officers in the activity.
“The team was checking the phones of Immigration officers stationed at the airport and found several text messages indicating the offering and acceptance of bribes.
“The inducement was from foreigners who wanted to enter Malaysia without going through the proper process and procedures with help from the officers,” said a source, adding that the woman arrested is the wife of one officer.
The suspects, aged between 35 and 46, were brought to a Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (March 6) morning for a remand order.
Senior assistant registrar Nurkhalida Farhana Abu Bakar issued a five-day remand order on all five.
When contacted, Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias confirmed the arrests, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
