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New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration denies entry to 21 travellers
BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Twenty-one foreigners were denied entry into the country today at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border crossing in Kedah after immigration checks found irregularities with their travel documents. Bukit Kayu Hitam Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said all of them were stopped at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at about 8am. He said inspections found the travellers did not meet the requirements set under the Immigration Director-General's Standing Orders for entry refusal. "Yesterday, we stopped seven foreign nationals for similar offences, and today we recorded another 21," he said at a press conference at the complex. "In the past, such refusals involved only a small number, but in the last two days alone, the figures have been significantly higher. Reasons for refusal included damaged passports, suspicious entry passes, invalid flight or hotel bookings, and other irregularities." The 21 people comprised 4 Chinese, 15 Thai, one Indian, and 1 Pakistani. They were eight men and 13 women aged between their 20s and 40s. "Action was taken under Section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 as they did not fulfil the entry requirements as visitors to Malaysia," Mohd Nasaruddin said. "All were ordered to return to their countries of origin via the same entry point. The refusal process was carried out in full compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures and department circulars in force. "No seizures were made and no criminal elements or enforcement investigations were identified in this case," he added.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Diesel smuggling thrives despite subsidy removal
BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Despite the removal of the diesel subsidy in Malaysia, the fuel remains highly sought after by smugglers transporting it into neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, where prices are significantly higher. Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said that Thailand was believed to be a "transit hub" for smuggled diesel before it was moved to other countries. He said the fuel was likely destined for markets with higher prices, such as Myanmar, where it can be sold for up to RM15 per litre. He added that the diesel was probably stockpiled in neighbouring countries, rather than in Malaysia. It was sourced from petrol stations near the border or local industrial warehouses before being smuggled out. Nasaruddin was speaking at a press conference at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex, where an attempt to smuggle 10,200 litres of diesel worth RM30,600 was foiled. The smuggling attempt involved three trailer lorries and three pickup trucks fitted with hidden tanks. Nasaruddin said the Thai-registered vehicles were stopped during a joint operation with other enforcement agencies. The total value of the vehicles was estimated at RM350,000, while the overall seizure, including the diesel, was worth RM380,600. The vehicles were seized under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for further investigation. All the vehicles had concealed additional tanks mounted beneath the chassis of the lorries and on the decks of the pickups, making them difficult to detect at first glance. Nasaruddin said checks assisted by Road Transport Department (RTD) officers were vital, as they were familiar with such modifications. The vehicles typically entered Malaysia in the early morning before leaving at strategic hours, including weekends, early mornings, or late nights. The 6 drivers, all foreign men aged between 40 and 60, were released on MCBA bail. In June last year, the government implemented diesel subsidy rationalisation to curb cross-border smuggling and ensure that subsidies benefited targeted groups. The move raised diesel prices in Peninsular Malaysia to the current market rate of RM2.94 per litre, up from the previous fixed subsidised rate of RM2.15 per litre.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
2 Kelantan immigration officers probed for letting tourists skip border checks
KOTA BARU: Two enforcement officers are under investigation for allegedly colluding with agents to allow tourists to bypass inspection procedures at one of the state's Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes. Sources revealed that the officers are suspected of permitting Thai nationals to make U-turns at the border facility without following the proper protocols. "The officers allegedly worked with certain agents to facilitate the movement of travellers, raising concerns over potential abuse of power and breach of duty. Both are now being investigated by the agency's Integrity Unit," said the sources. The investigation aims to determine whether the officers received any inducements in exchange for allowing travellers to pass without the required checks. Regarding the recent detection of a fake immigration stamp, the sources said that the case remained under investigation. On Aug 6, Kelantan Immigration uncovered a new border scam involving "counter setting" after arresting nearly 40 Thai nationals, shortly after a report revealed that the "flying passports" scandal continued to persist in the state. The discovery was made during an operation in Rantau Panjang. These individuals entered the country by submitting their passports at the counter to be stamped. However, their re-entry took place during the mandatory seven-day "cooling-off" period after their initial stay on a social visit pass had lapsed, in violation of a directive from the Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban. The counter officers at the ICQS complex failed to comply with this directive. Although the entries and exits technically adhered to the Immigration Act, the issue lay in the officers' non-compliance with the official instruction prohibiting visitors from re-entering Malaysia before the seven-day cooling-off period.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Indonesian border post chief: Speed up Serikin ICQS Complex construction to ease cross-border travel, boost ties
(From third left) Misdo and Henry with delegation members from Sarawak at PLBN Jagoi Babang in West Kalimantan. KUCHING (Aug 11): Construction of the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Serikin should be expedited to ease cross-border travel as well as boost economic and tourism ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan. In saying this, Pos Lintas Batas Negara (PLBN) Jagoi Babang chief administrator Misdo Jerry Purba pointed out the facility is crucial to enable passport processing at the border and replace the current border pass system, which limits travel to Bau. 'At present, residents of Jagoi Babang heading to Kuching have to go through Aruk, which takes more than two hours. With ICQS Serikin, the trip could take less than an hour,' she said during a recent visit by Deputy Minister for Transport (Riverine and Marine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep to PLBN Jagoi Babang in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. She said Kuching is a preferred destination for shopping, healthcare, and air travel for many in Jagoi Babang and neighbouring areas such as Siding and Seluas. 'The journey to Pontianak takes seven to eight hours, compared to only one hour to Kuching. 'Having a proper ICQS here would be a far more practical gateway for border communities to access healthcare and economic opportunities in Kuching. 'Without ICQS Serikin, residents from West Kalimantan must take the longer route via the Aruk-Biawak entry point, which can take more than two and a half hours,' she explained. Misdo stressed it is vital for border inspections at Serikin to meet international standards and allow the use of passports, regardless of whether the building is large or modest in size. She described the facility as long-awaited by people on both sides of the border and hoped construction could begin by the end of this year. 'Our hope is very high because this project is important for the future of both countries,' she said. She pointed out cultural and family ties between Jagoi Babang and Bau remain strong. 'During Gawai Sowa and Gawai Dayak, we helped about 700 people with valid documents cross the border to meet their families. 'With passport use through ICQS Serikin, it will be even easier to maintain these relationships,' she said. According to her, Fridays are the busiest days at PLBN Jagoi Babang due to the Serikin market. 'On Fridays, we see between 100 and 150 visitors from Jagoi Babang, compared to 50 to 60 on regular weekdays. Once passport services are available, this could rise to 500 a day. 'This would not only boost market activity but also bring more customers to local shops and services,' she said. Tourism could also grow, she added, with waterfalls, rivers, and other natural attractions drawing more visitors. 'Direct transport routes like Singkawang to Kuching could be introduced, offering faster links for both business and leisure. 'Better connectivity can attract more investment, encourage tourism, and create more opportunities for small businesses,' she said. The Serikin ICQS initiative began in 2018 through a series of discussions led by Henry with relevant authorities including the Bau District Office, Bau District Council, Immigration Department, Customs Department, Ministry of Home Affairs, Public Works Department (JKR), Rural Water Supply Department, police, army, and project consultant. Meetings were held at the Bau District Office along with site visits to the border area as well as working visits to Indonesia's PLBN Jagoi Babang. JKR Sarawak recently issued the tender for the construction of the ICQS complex in Serikin. Henry Harry Jinep Jagoi Babang lead Serikin ICQS
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Thai police to hand over Eda Ezrin to Malaysian immigration today
PASIR MAS: Thai police will transfer dikir barat singer Wan Norshaheeda Azlin, known as Eda Ezrin, and five others to Malaysian immigration officials today. The handover will take place at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Rantau Panjang. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan and Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed the details. Mohd Yusoff stated that police officers have been stationed at the Rantau Panjang ICQS for the process. He added that two of the six individuals entered Thailand illegally and will be detained under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. All individuals will undergo drug testing and have their statements recorded upon arrival in Malaysia. Eda, her husband, and four friends were released by the Narathiwat Prison Court yesterday after Thai prosecutors failed to present witnesses and evidence. The court also rejected the prosecution's sixth request for an extension on Wednesday. The six Malaysians were arrested on November 1 last year for allegedly possessing 6,059 Yaba pills. Family members of the detainees waited since early morning at the Sungai Golok Police Station in Narathiwat for their release. Eda remains in Narathiwat and will be taken to the Sungai Golok police station before proceeding to the immigration office for documentation. She will then be transported to the Rantau Panjang ICQS Complex for the official handover. - Bernama
