THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) apprehended 16 individuals yesterday on suspicion of corruption related to birth registrations.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) of MACC, announced the arrests following operations named Op Outlander and Op Birth, which took place on Tuesday.
“These operations involved raids at various sites, including clinics and law firms in the Klang Valley and Johor regions.
“The investigation uncovered a scheme involving the late registration of non-citizens as citizens, as well as the use of forged documents for birth registrations,” he said in a statement.
In the case of Operation Outlander, he said a civil servant is the main suspect, accused of facilitating late registrations for individuals born more than 60 days after their actual birth dates.
Ahmad Khusairi also mentioned that a medical practitioner, a Datuk Seri who owns several clinics and maternity centres, was implicated in the issuance of fraudulent birth documents.
In Op Birth, three suspects, believed to be agents, are charged with bribing a public official with around RM18,000 to assist in processing birth registrations with fake supporting documents, including counterfeit hospital birth certificates.
“Six civilians were arrested for allegedly using these agents to file fraudulent birth registration applications,” he said.
A lawyer, suspected of serving as a go-between for the agents and the applicants, was also taken into custody.
The 16 suspects, aged between 20 and 70, were arrested between 11 am and 8 pm yesterday and were brought to the MACC headquarters and MACC Selangor for questioning.
They are scheduled to appear in Shah Alam Magistrate's Court tomorrow for remand proceedings.
Ahmad Khusairi said two of the suspects, including the Datuk Seri, who are facing health issues, were released on MACC bail after their statements were taken.
These raids were the culmination of a year-long intelligence operation and collaboration between the MACC and the National Registration Department, he added. – March 12, 2025
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