Uneasy calm: The Pasir Gudang ferry terminal where counter setting activities have been taking place. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: Counter setting is rearing its ugly head again, particularly at the Pasir Gudang, Muar, and Melaka ferry terminals used by Indonesians travelling to and from Batam, Bintan and Dumai, with sources revealing that travellers were charged between RM800 and RM1,000 to slip in and out of the country without having their passports checked and stamped at the checkpoints.
Cases have been detected in various parts of Johor, where the state has a total of 15 checkpoints, including 11 maritime ones.
Those implicated in the syndicate typically pass money to agents, who then collaborate with immigration officers to facilitate counter setting activities.
“Johor is well connected to many Indonesian islands, including Riau and Karimun,” the source said, adding that the existence of the syndicate came to light when Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers arrested 12 individuals, including seven immigration officers, on Tuesday.
This is the second major arrest involving enforcement officers.
In July, at least four enforcement officers were nabbed at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (BSI) checkpoint for the same violations.
The sources added that the suspects, comprising 10 men and two women aged between 20 and 50, were detained in Johor and Penang.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the enforcement officers allegedly received more than RM490,000 in bribes from agents and runners who have also been arrested during an operation.
“They are suspected to be connected to a syndicate smuggling foreign nationals using the counter setting modus operandi at sea entry points from 2024 until early 2025,” the sources added.
The MACC also seized about RM50,000 in cash, 71,000,000 rupiah (RM17,000), a luxury van valued at RM115,000, and a scooter worth RM30,000.
“The MACC has applied to freeze 25 bank accounts belonging to 13 individuals, totalling RM1.2mil,” the sources said.
Two suspects have been remanded for six days until Sept 29, while 10 others have been remanded for five days until Sept 28, following an application by the MACC at the Johor Baru Sessions Court on Wednesday.
The Johor MACC, in collaboration with the graftbusters intelligence division, conducted operations in Johor and Penang under Ops Setting.
Johor MACC director Hairuzam Mohmad Amin @ Hamim, when contacted, confirmed the arrests, adding that two suspects have been released on MACC bail.
The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) and Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
Meanwhile, Johor immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the department would extend its full cooperation to MACC and would not compromise on officers who were involved in illegal activities.
On Sept 18, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki revealed that 30 individuals had been detained with links to a counter setting syndicate.
Launched on Sept 9, the operation resulted in the detention of 18 enforcement agency officers, five company owners, and three civilians.
The arrests were made in Selangor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan, where the detained officers were suspected of facilitating the entry of foreign workers into the country without going through the proper procedures.
He said the officers had pocketed between RM10,000 and RM50,000 per month on average, depending on the number of foreign nationals allowed entry.
Azam did not rule out the possibility of more arrests as investigations are ongoing.
