Latest news with #RazaliAbMalik
New Straits Times
a day ago
- 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.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
EAIC calls for criminal action against Immigration officers involved in illegal medical visa scheme
PUTRAJAYA, July 28 — The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended criminal action against several Immigration Department (JIM) officers found to have abused their power by illegally issuing visas for medical purposes to foreigners. The EAIC said the investigation, carried out by a Special Task Force led by EAIC Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik, focused on the issuance of social visit passes under the medical visa category to foreigners from several countries without going through the proper process. According to the EAIC, the investigation included reviewing approval procedures, recording witness statements, seizing documents and preparing recommendations for further action by the authorities. 'The investigation found that there was abuse of power by immigration officers who approved medical visas to foreigners from several countries, despite being aware that the application documents submitted were incomplete and did not comply with the criteria under the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,' it said in a statement today. Following these findings, the EAIC decided to refer the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers in accordance with Paragraph 30(1)© of Act 700. The EAIC said that criminal charges have been recommended against the officers involved under the Penal Code (Act 574); the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155); and/or the Passports Act 1966 (Act 150). — Bernama
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
EAIC urges criminal charges against immigration officers for medical visa fraud
PUTRAJAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has called for criminal proceedings against Immigration Department officers involved in the unlawful issuance of medical visas to foreign nationals. The findings stem from a probe led by EAIC Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik, which uncovered systemic abuse in granting social visit passes under the medical category. The investigation scrutinised approval protocols, collected witness testimonies, and seized documents before concluding that officers bypassed legal requirements. 'The probe revealed power abuse where incomplete applications were approved despite violating the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,' stated the EAIC. The case has been escalated to the Attorney-General's Chambers under Paragraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700. Charges may be filed under the Penal Code, Immigration Act 1959/63, and Passports Act 1966. - Bernama
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
EAIC task force: Immigration officers abused power in medical visa approvals, alleged syndicate case referred to AGC
PUTRAJAYA, July 28 — The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) said today it found abuse of power and procedural weaknesses in the issuance of medical visas to foreign nationals by Immigration Department officers. It has since referred its findings to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), recommending charges against the officers under the Penal Code, the Immigration Act 1959/63, and/or the Passports Act 1966. 'The Special Task Force found that there was abuse of power by Immigration officers who approved medical visas for foreign nationals from several countries,' it said in a statement here. '[This is despite them] being aware that the applications submitted were incomplete and did not comply with the provisions outlined in Immigration Circular No. 10/2001.' It said the investigation was carried out by a Special Task Force formed under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009, and led by EAIC Commissioner Datuk Seri Razali Ab. Malik. The task force had reviewed irregularities in the medical visa approval process, including an examination of procedural compliance, witness interviews, document seizures, and the preparation of appropriate recommendations for further action by the authorities. In October last year, EAIC said it seized 156 Social Visit Pass (Medical Treatment Pass category) application files believed to be linked to a medical visa syndicate involving Immigration Department officers. This came after Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban confirmed that the EAIC had visited the Immigration headquarters to conduct further investigations into alleged breaches of integrity involving officers from the department. Reports stated that the syndicate, which had allegedly been operating for some time, had granted medical visas to foreign nationals to enter the country, supposedly for medical services. In February this year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the EAIC had called in 22 Immigration Department officers to assist in the investigation.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Commission confirms abuse in medical visa scandal
PETALING JAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has confirmed a case of power abuse in the Immigration Department linked to the 'counter setting' scandal involving corrupt practices and visa irregularities for medical tourists. In a statement, the EAIC said its special task force – established under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700) and chaired by Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik – had completed its investigation into the scandal. 'It was found that there had been abuse of power by Immigration officers who approved medical visas for foreign nationals from several countries, despite knowing the application documents were incomplete and failed to meet the requirements set out in the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,' the statement said. The commission has decided to refer the investigation findings to the Attorney General's Chambers. 'This is in line with Paragraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700, with a recommendation that criminal charges be brought against the Immigration officers involved – under provisions of Act 574 of the Penal Code, Act 155 of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and/or Act 150 of the Passport Act 1966.' The 'counter setting' operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been under scrutiny since late last year, focusing on claims that foreign nationals were granted medical treatment visas without complying with standard procedures. theSun had earlier reported concerns from healthcare industry experts about loopholes in the medical tourist visa process, alleging that some visa holders never sought treatment at the approved medical centres. In October last year, investigators seized 156 social visit pass application files (under the Medical Treatment Pass category), linked to a syndicate involving officers from the Immigration Department's Visa, Pass and Permit Division in Putrajaya.
