KOTA KINABALU – A total of nine individuals have been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in relation to a migrant smuggling syndicate in Sabah. Five enforcement officers were among those detained.
MACC stated that they believed since the syndicate started in 2018, several enforcement officers have worked with local agents smuggling illegal immigrants – collecting fees and preparing documents for them to leave Sabah.
The detainees were five enforcement officers including two women aged 30 and 41, and the other four suspects were believed to be agents – three local women aged 37 to 49, and a 73-year-old man.
They were detained during MACC’s special operation with the National Registration Department (NRD) named Op Lancar, yesterday.
Under the modus operandi of the syndicate, illegal immigrants or temporary residents without complete documents would need to pay about RM2,500 to the agents if they want to leave Sabah from Tawau airport.
The syndicate would then provide a genuine MyKad and airline entry pass using the name on the document to those who have paid for their services.
The illegal immigrants would then undergo an examination by the authorities at Tawau airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) after the payment was made to the enforcement officers.
MACC also discovered that for each flight to KLIA2, agents will bring in about five to 20 illegal immigrants.
In the operation, MACC also seized several items such as mobile phones, MyKad, and a stamp that is complete with the series number to leave Sabah.
Meanwhile, NRD in the same operation also detained 12 illegal immigrants who were found using the syndicate to enter Malaysia.
MACC will continue to work closely with NRD and other enforcement agencies to fight against migrant smuggling, the statement added. – The Vibes, March 25, 2023
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