28-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
EAIC recommends criminal charges against immigration officer over medical visa abuse
PUTRAJAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended that criminal charges be filed against an Immigration Department officer for alleged abuse of power involving the issuance of medical visas to foreign nationals.
In a statement, the EAIC said its Special Task Force, led by Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik, had conducted a thorough investigation under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700).
The investigation revealed that the officer had approved medical visit visas for foreign nationals from several countries despite being aware that the supporting documents were incomplete and failed to comply with Immigration Department Circular No. 10/2001.
Razali said the task force had examined breaches in the visa approval process, including reviewing compliance with standard operating procedures, interviewing relevant witnesses, seizing documents and compiling recommendations for further action by the relevant authorities.
"The EAIC found clear elements of abuse of power in the approval of these visas, which did not meet the basic procedural and documentary requirements," he said.
As a result, the commission has referred its investigation findings to the Attorney-General's Chambers with a recommendation to prosecute the officer under the Penal Code (Act 574), the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), and the Passport Act 1966 (Act 150), in accordance with Paragraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700.
