PUTRAJAYA: The National Registration Department (NRD) managed to expose the modus operandi of a syndicate that brazenly registered 80 birth certificates through it using fake documents over the last three years.
The syndicate, likely to have both domestic and international networks, sold the birth certificates on the black market to parents and guardians of children without identification or Malaysian citizenship.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the syndicate was exposed through an internal investigation by the NRD, triggered by officers who noticed irregularities in late birth registrations.
Present at the media conference were the Home Ministry's Secretary-General Datuk Awang Alik Jeman and NRD Director-General Badrul Hisham Alias.
"Investigations revealed that the syndicate falsified birth documents by creating and replicating fake documents to resemble official verification from registered and legally operating private healthcare facilities. These fraudulent documents were then used to deceive NRD for birth registration purposes.
"The syndicate's modus operandi involved individuals acting as birth informants by submitting fake birth documents at NRD counters during registration. Once an official birth certificate was obtained, it is believed to have been sold on the black market to parents or guardians of children without identification or Malaysian citizenship.
"The syndicate is also suspected of having both domestic and international networks and is likely involved in smuggling undocumented children from abroad to be sold to these parents," said Saifuddin.
He stated that the NRD worked on this operation called "Ops Tumpang" in collaboration with the Intelligence Division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Selangor MACC.
"This operation, named 'Ops Tumpang,' was conducted simultaneously at multiple locations across four states—Putrajaya, Selangor, Penang, and Perak—on Monday (March 11).
"During the operation, 10 local women and eight men were arrested. Among them, four individuals—including a 55-year-old legal practitioner suspected of acting as an intermediary between agents and applicants—are believed to be the masterminds behind the syndicate.
"The remaining six were identified as birth informants. Authorities also seized RM54,000 in cash from the suspects, believed to be proceeds from these illegal activities," said Saifuddin.
He added that NRD has not ruled out the possibility of further arrests as investigations progress.
"This operation is the result of nearly a year of joint intelligence gathering between NRD and MACC, along with meticulous planning to ensure comprehensive enforcement action against individuals and parties involved in this criminal activity," said Saifuddin.
Saifuddin said the case is being investigated under Section 36(1)(b) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 (Act 299) for allegedly providing false information during birth registration. If convicted, offenders may face a fine of up to RM20,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
"The case is also expected to be investigated under other laws within MACC's jurisdiction.
"NRD reaffirms its strong and ongoing commitment to preserving the integrity and authenticity of national identity documents without compromise. Any attempt to forge official documents is a serious offence and will be met with strict legal action," said Saifuddin.
On Wednesday, the MACC arrested 16 individuals aged in their 20s and 70s between 11am and 8pm on Tuesday (March 11) in Op Outlander and Op Birth, conducted across the Klang Valley and Johor.
The detainees include a civil servant, a medical practitioner with the title Datuk Seri, a legal practitioner, several agents, and birth registration applicants. They are suspected of committing offences between 2013 to 2018 and 2023 to 2025 involving bribery and the preparation and submission of false birth confirmation documents.
A total of 12 individuals have been remanded for four to five days until March 16, while four others, including the medical practitioner with the Datuk Seri title, were released on MACC bail for health reasons after their statements were recorded.
