PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department has detained a Bangladeshi man after a viral social media post allegedly showed him holding both a Malaysian passport and a Bangladeshi passport.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the department took immediate action following the circulation of the post, which sparked public concern and calls for an investigation.
He said the Pahang Immigration Department, together with the state's National Registration Department, formed a special task force to trace the individual and verify the authenticity of the claims.
"Acting on intelligence, a team of six Immigration officers raided a container at Jalan Kuantan Bandar Damansara, Kuantan, at about 6.30pm on July 4.
"During the inspection, officers found a Bangladeshi man inside the container," he said in a statement on Sunday (July 5).
Zakaria said further searches uncovered two Malaysian International Passports (PMA) which expired on April 25, 2017 and Oct 25, 2022, as well as a Seafarer’s Service Book belonging to a Malaysian citizen.
The suspect was detained and taken to the Kuantan Immigration Office to assist in investigations.
He said the department is now working to identify the rightful owner of the two passports and the seafarer’s document while investigating possible offences involving unauthorised possession, misuse of travel documents or other violations under existing laws.
Zakaria stressed that the department viewed all allegations involving the misuse or unlawful possession of Malaysian travel documents seriously.
He also urged the public to refrain from speculating while investigations are ongoing.
"If any breach of the law is established, firm action will be taken in accordance with the relevant legal provisions," he said.
