KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 27 individuals, including 18 enforcement officers, were remanded for their alleged involvement in a “counter setting” syndicate that allowed foreigners to enter the country without following proper procedures.
This follows an operation across four states by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Magistrate Muhammad Syafiq Sulaiman allowed the remand of 13 individuals — comprising four enforcement officers, five company owners, a company manager and three civilians — for three days until Sept 12.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Uthman Abd Ghani granted a four-day remand for three enforcement officers until Sept 13, and another two officers for five days until Sept 14.
The applications were made by MACC at the Shah Alam and Ayer Keroh Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday (Sept 10).
In Seremban, Magistrate Sara Afiqah Zulkipli approved a seven-day remand until Sept 16 for eight enforcement officers, while Magistrate S. Arunjothy allowed a five-day remand until Sept 14 for another officer in Kuala Lumpur.
According to sources, the suspects — 19 men and eight women aged between their 20s and 50s — were picked up during an operation on Tuesday (Sept 9) across Selangor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan.
"They are believed to have given and received bribes in exchange for facilitating the entry of foreign nationals without going through the stipulated procedures,” the source said.
The operation also saw MACC seize over RM200,000 in cash, gold jewellery, gold bars, cars, motorcycles, branded handbags, luxury watches and mobile devices.
The arrests were part of Ops Rentas, an intelligence-led operation launched by the MACC across several states.
A total of 30 individuals have been detained so far, with 40 bank accounts — comprising 34 personal accounts and six belonging to companies — frozen, involving more than RM1mil.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests, adding that the case is being investigated under Sections 16 and 17 of the MACC Act 2009.
