
MACC nabs two Bangladeshis linked to 'counter setting' syndicate
According to a source, the two suspects, both in their 50s, were arrested by the MACC during an operation conducted between 5pm and 7pm on Monday in Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur.
"The suspects are believed to be foreign agents who offered bribes to enforcement officers at KLIA 1 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1) to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals through the country's entry points,' the source said.
The syndicate's modus operandi involves approaching enforcement officers at KLIA 1 to carry out 'counter setting' activities, aimed at easing the clearance process for foreign nationals upon arrival.
The suspects have been remanded for six days until July 20, following a remand order issued by senior registrar Shaik Zuladdruse Merican Sadzol Othman Merican at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court Tuesday (July 15).
Meanwhile, MACC Intelligence Division senior director Datuk Saiful Ezral Arifin, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said the case was being investigated under Section 16(b) of the MACC Act 2009.- Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
RM200 per passport: Border officers arrested over 'flying passport' racket
JOHOR BAHRU: Four enforcement officers have been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe of RM3,000 while on duty at the motorcycle entry zone checkpoint along the Johor-Singapore border. According to a source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the four male suspects, aged between their 20s and 40s, were detained today at the Johor MACC office. "Two main suspects were initially apprehended by the Compliance Unit of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) during an inspection at the counter yesterday. They were subsequently handed over to the MACC. "Following their arrest, two more enforcement officers were detained on suspicion of being complicit in the 'flying passport' activity," the source said. Earlier today, MCBA confirmed the arrest of two enforcement officers on duty at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) last night in connection with the same scheme. MCBA CIQ BSI Commander Roszita Dim said the two male suspects, aged 31 and 49, were detained during a covert monitoring operation conducted by the agency's Compliance Unit starting at 3pm that day. The operation targeted officers stationed at the CIQ complex after suspicious activity was detected around 7.30pm at the vehicle zone checkpoint. Investigations revealed several questionable entries in the visitor log, using the login credentials of one officer at the counter, including records involving foreign nationals previously identified as problematic visitors. The MACC source added that during the arrest, 14 foreign passports, four mobile phones belonging to the main suspects, and approximately RM2,800 in cash were recovered. "Initial investigations suggest that the cash and mobile phones are linked to bribery transactions involving the 'flying passport' scheme. "For each passport stamped without the physical presence of the owner, the suspects allegedly received around RM200," the source said. Meanwhile, Johor MACC deputy director of operations Hairul Ilham Hamzah confirmed the arrests when contacted. He said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009. "All suspects will be brought before the Johor Bahru Court for a remand application," he added.

Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia turns away 99 foreign arrivals at KLIA after seven-hour border sweep
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) denied entry to 99 foreign arrivals at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 yesterday after they failed security screenings. The agency's corporate communications unit said that the arrivals were denied entry to the country as a result of detailed checks of over 400 individuals in a special seven-hour operation targeting high-risk flights. 'Those denied entry were all men, 80 Bangladeshi, 10 Indians and nine Pakistani. They were denied as they failed to meet immigration checks, including having suspicious reasons for visiting and travel records. 'They underwent further documentation processes before being deported to their countries of origin according to existing legal procedures,' the agency said in a statement today, adding that the checks involved background screening, checks on travel documents and individual interviews. AKPS also stressed that such enforcement measures would be stepped up periodically as a proactive strategy to tackle human trafficking and abuses of social visit passes. — Bernama

Barnama
12 hours ago
- Barnama
AKPS Denies Entry To 99 Foreign Arrivals At KLIA For Failing Immigration Checks
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) denied entry to 99 foreign arrivals at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 yesterday after they failed security screenings. The agency's corporate communications unit said that the arrivals were denied entry to the country as a result of detailed checks of over 400 individuals in a special seven-hour operation targeting high-risk flights. 'Those denied entry were all men, 80 Bangladeshi, 10 Indians and nine Pakistani. They were denied as they failed to meet immigration checks, including having suspicious reasons for visiting and travel records.