Arrested immigration officers fined up to RM3,500 per migrant, report says

Travelers passing through the immigration checkpoint at KLIA.

PETALING JAYA: Immigration officers at KLIA who allegedly helped a syndicate smuggle foreigners into the country were reportedly paid between RM500 and RM3,500 for each migrant they allowed in without going through proper inspections.

According to Harian Metro, a source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said there was no fixed amount for the bribes obtained by the officers.

The bribes were also not transferred to the suspects’ bank accounts, said the source, who believes they may have learned from the “mistakes” of others who have been arrested by the MACC in the past because of the money trail.

“At present, the MACC is still investigating where the suspects might have hidden the bribes or kickbacks they received.

“It is possible that the arrested suspects used intermediaries to conceal the illicit money they received from the syndicate. MACC is still conducting investigations and is confident that more evidence will be uncovered,” the source said.

Yesterday, MACC chief Azam Baki said the commission had busted the syndicate after 12 people, including three women, were arrested during operations in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kelantan.

He said the 12 people included four business owners, three members of the public and five law enforcement officers stationed at KLIA Terminal 2.

The syndicate was allegedly orchestrated by some police officers stationed at entry points who allowed groups of foreigners to bypass the standard inspection process.

Meanwhile, the MACC source said the anti-corruption agency had managed to dismantle the syndicate, thanks to several months of undercover work.