KUALA LUMPUR: Eighteen of the 27 individuals detained by graft busters for alleged involvement in counter setting are Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) officers, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The AKPS director-general said the officers detained were stationed at Terminal 1 and 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
"We will give our full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and I have contacted MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki about the matter.
Those detained have been remanded," he told reporters on Thursday (Sept 11).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said he believes the suspects' involvement began even before the AKPS was established.
"We will wait and see the outcome of the investigation," he added.
It was reported that a total of 27 individuals, including 18 enforcement officers, were remanded over 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 MACC.
Sources said 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 the 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.
