PETALING JAYA: A “flying passport” syndicate has been crippled with the arrest of three suspects, believed to have created fake immigration movement records for foreign nationals without them physically passing through the country’s border checkpoints.
The syndicate, said to have charged RM700 for their “services”, was busted in an operation at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in Gelang Patah, Johor, in the ongoing Ops Crack investigation conducted jointly with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the syndicate’s modus operandi was to collect passports belonging to foreign nationals without requiring the holders to be present at the country’s entry points.
He said agents would then send a copy of the passport’s front page via WhatsApp to their accomplices, who would scan the document to create false movement records in the Immigration’s system.
During the operation, officers seized mobile phones, keys to premises, jewellery, immigration security stamps and RM20,000 in cash.
“The operation team arrested three individuals aged between 33 and 41,” Zakaria said in a statement.
He added that the department would continue to act against any party attempting to undermine the integrity of the country’s immigration system and threaten national security.
On Aug 1, eight Myanmar nationals were arrested in Bandar Mahkota Cheras in a follow-up raid under Ops Crack.
Previously, six Immigration officers and a policeman were among 12 individuals detained by the MACC for their alleged involvement in a syndicate that hacked the Malaysia Immigration System (MyIMMs).
The syndicate allegedly breached the system to illegally approve temporary employment visit pass (PLKS) applications.
At the department’s monthly assembly, Zakaria reiterated his warning that officers involved in misconduct, including corruption or power abuse would not be protected and that action will be taken against them.
He said this was in line with the department’s efforts to strengthen integrity and ensure that every officer carries out the trust and responsibilities entrusted to them with full professionalism.
He said the department continues to receive information on the involvement of certain personnel, believed to be colluding in activities involving flying passports, counter setting and the irregular approval of PLKS.
“I have issued repeated warnings, but there will be no more warnings now.
“No more warnings and no more reminders. We will take immediate action (against officers involved in misconduct).”
He said the department, together with MACC was waiting for the right time to track down all those involved and ensure the case was dealt with at its root.
Zakaria said every transaction involving immigration matters would continue to be closely monitored to ensure any abuse of power was curbed.
