A total of 27 people, including 18 enforcement officers, have been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly participating in a “counter setting” scheme at airports, which allowed foreigners to enter the country without going through proper immigration procedures.
The MACC also seized over RM200,000 (about S$60,900) in cash, multiple pieces of gold jewellery, gold bars, luxury watches, and communication devices. Additionally, 40 bank accounts, worth a total of more than RM1 million, have been frozen.
On Wednesday (Sep 10), the MACC applied for remand orders at the Shah Alam and Ayer Keroh Magistrates’ Courts. Magistrate Muhammad Syafiq Sulaiman approved a three-day remand until September 12 for four enforcement officers, five company directors, one company manager and three civilians.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Uthman Abd Ghani approved a four-day remand until Sep 13 for three enforcement officers, and a five-day remand until Sep 14 for two other suspects.
Separately, at the Seremban and Kuala Lumpur Magistrates’ Courts, Magistrate Sara Afiqah Zulkipli approved a seven-day remand until Sep 16 for eight enforcement officers, while Magistrate S. Arunjothy approved a five-day remand until Sep 14 for another officer.
According to China Press, sources said the group of suspects, 19 men and 8 women aged between 20 and 50, were arrested on Tuesday during an interstate operation known as Op Rentas, led by the MACC intelligence unit.
“The suspects are believed to have been involved in the counter-setting scheme, where they allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for helping foreigners enter Malaysia illegally.”
During the operation, a total of 30 people were initially arrested. The MACC also froze 40 bank accounts, including 34 belonging to individuals and six linked to companies, involving sums exceeding RM1 million.
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Ahmad Khusairi bin Yahaya confirmed the arrests, adding that investigations are being carried out under Sections 16 and 17 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
