Immigration officer held over system misuse

Finding clues: The operations team also seized a mobile phone and seve­ral documents believed to be linked to the activities.

PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department has arrested one of its officers suspected of helping a syndicate manipulate the online application system for foreign domestic hel­pers.

The 31-year-old suspect, who is said to play “facilitator” in appro­ving passes for individuals who did not meet the requirements, was held after a raid at a house in Setia Tropika, Johor Baru on Monday.

The raid was carried out by the Immigration Department’s Intelli­gence and Special Operations Division from its headquarters in Putrajaya, with the cooperation of the Johor Immigration Depart­ment.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the raid was a follow-up to enforcement operations conducted on March 2 and 3.

“The operations team also seized a mobile phone and seve­ral documents believed to be linked to the activities,” he said in a statement.

Initial investigations found that the suspect is believed to have approved Temporary Employ­ment Visit Passes under the ­foreign domestic helper category for applicants who did not meet the stipulated requirements.

Zakaria said the officer is being investigated under Section 56(1A)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and has been brought to the Johor Immigration Office for further action.

He added that they are also looking for two other Immigration officers and a local woman to assist them in the investigation.

Zakaria said the operations reflect the department’s commitment in intensifying enforcement of immigration laws, not only through field operations but also by strengthening monito­ring of digital systems to ensure immigration facilities are not abused.

“The department stresses that any attempt to misuse the country’s immigration facilities will not be tolerated and that no protection will be given to any officer involved in misconduct. Stern action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.

He also urged the public to channel information to authorities if they know about activities violating immigration laws to help safeguard the integrity of the country’s immigration system and national security.