PETALING JAYA: Immigration officers found to be involved in the illegal distribution of long-term visas for medical purposes ought to be charged in court, says the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC).
EAIC commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik said an investigation was launched against members of the Immigration Department after it was alleged that the visas were issued to foreigners without going through the proper process.
Razali, who led the investigation, said that a special task force had identified elements of misuse of powers.
“The taskforce identified several misuse of powers by the immigration officers who approved the medical visa for foreigners without realising that the documents given were not completed and had not met the criteria under the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,” he said in a statement issued yesterday.
The EAIC added that it has referred the investigations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers with recommendations to charge the suspects, including under the Immigration Act and Passport Act.
In February, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that around 22 Immigration officers were summoned by the EAIC to assist investigations into a medical visa syndicate.
In October last year, the EAIC seized 156 social visa passes issued under the medical treatment category, which were believed to be linked to a syndicate involving immigration officers.
