A SYNDICATE’S attempt to secure a Malaysian passport for a Sri Lankan child using false documents and impersonation was thwarted by immigration officers at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Pudu Sentral in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff revealed that the child, believed to be around 10 years old, arrived at the passport office at approximately 10.15am, accompanied by a woman who claimed to be his mother.
“Officers from the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) reviewed the child’s birth certificate and a copy of the identity card presented by the alleged mother. However, upon physical observation, it was apparent that the child appeared older than the stated age,” said Wan Mohammed Saupee, speaking to Sinar Harian.
He added, “The officers attempted to communicate with the child in Malay by asking basic and general questions. It became clear that the child was unable to respond and did not understand instructions, including those related to biometric fingerprint verification.”
The woman, who impersonated the mother of the Sri Lankan child, was interrogated by a supervisor and senior officers. It was then uncovered that she had been instructed by a syndicate that assists Sri Lankan nationals in obtaining Malaysian international passports through fraudulent means.
According to Wan Mohammed Saupee, the woman had submitted her own biological child’s birth certificate while the Sri Lankan child pretended to be her son.
Acting on the direction of the UTC Pudu Sentral Head of Immigration, both the woman and the child were detained under the Passport Act 1966 (Act 150) for further investigation.
“JIM seized several documents and mobile phones believed to have been used as communication tools by the syndicate and the suspect,” he added.
He added impersonating a Malaysian citizen to acquire a passport constitutes systematic fraud, posing a serious threat to national security.
“Misuse of local citizens’ documents risks identity theft, legal complications, and the creation of false criminal records,” he said.
Wan Mohammed Saupee emphasised that Kuala Lumpur Immigration will expand the investigation to trace other members of the syndicate attempting to unlawfully secure international travel documents.
“JIM assures the public that passport issuance procedures are stringent and thorough, employing technological safeguards to ensure documents do not fall into the wrong hands. Stern action will be taken against any party found violating the law, without compromise,” he said. - October 1, 2025
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