9-12-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Two senior Immigration Department officials are set to face criminal charges for orchestrating an illicit scheme that facilitated the unauthorised entry of foreign nationals through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed today.
The suspects, who are believed to have masterminded the operation using what investigators termed a ‘counter setting’ technique, will be prosecuted following a comprehensive investigation by the anti-graft body, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki announced.
Speaking at the closure of International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations in the Malaysian capital, Azam disclosed that case files have been forwarded to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office for review. “Proceedings may commence before year’s end, though there is a possibility the matter could be heard in early 2025,” he stated.
The development follows an extensive MACC probe that uncovered 11 critical vulnerabilities within Immigration Department protocols. Most concerning among these findings was the revelation of inadequate oversight during operational hours, which allegedly enabled criminal syndicates to exploit these weaknesses through corrupt immigration officers.
The investigation highlighted how systematic failures in internal controls created an environment where immigration officials became susceptible to approaches from organised crime networks. This compromise in border security has raised serious concerns about the integrity of Malaysia’s immigration system.
