Latest news with #RoszitaDim
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- AsiaOne
4 Malaysian immigration officers at JB-Singapore checkpoint arrested over 'flying passport' scheme, Malaysia News
Four enforcement officers at Malaysia's Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex were nabbed for allegedly accepting bribes in what authorities call a "flying passport" scheme. The term refers to when a person's passport is carried across the border by a third party and stamped without the holder being physically present. The passports are later returned to the owners, who had entered Malaysia illegally. This allows them to bypass immigration processes, reported The Star. The officers are suspected of receiving RM3,000 (S$910) in bribes, according to the New Straits Times (NST). The two main suspects were detained during an unannounced inspection at the checkpoint on Friday (July 25). Another two were arrested for allegedly abetting the scheme on Saturday. BSI CIQ Commander Roszita Dim said the two are a 31-year-old officer and a 49-year-old supervisor, reported Bernama. During the operation, authorities found suspicious data entries linked to the ID of an officer manning a car zone counter, including records of foreigners identified as problematic visitors that would need to be manually corrected. About RM2,800 in cash were found at the car clearance counter, and 14 foreign passports stashed in a bag hidden in the ceiling of another counter. Two mobile phones were reportedly seized from the officer at the car counter, and another two from the motorcycle zone supervisor. "Initial investigations suggest that the cash and mobile phones are linked to bribery transactions involving the 'flying passport' scheme," NST quoted a source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission as saying. The suspects allegedly received around RM200 for each passport stamped. [[nid:720102]]
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Two more officers detained in flying passport scheme at CIQ Complex
JOHOR BARU: Two more enforcement officers have been detained in connection with the 'flying passport' activity at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex. The latest arrests by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) bring the total number of enforcement officers detained in the case to four. The suspects are believed to have received bribes amounting to RM3,000 as part of a syndicate that stamps passports without the holders being physically present at the border—an activity known as the 'flying passport.' The four men, aged between their 20s and 40s, were detained at the Johor MACC office on Saturday (July 26) following investigations into misconduct at the checkpoint counters at BSI CIQ. According to a source, two of the officers were initially arrested by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) during a surprise inspection at the BSI complex on Friday (July 25) before being handed over to the MACC. "Following their arrest, two more enforcement officers were detained for allegedly abetting in the flying passport activity. The suspects are believed to have received about RM200 for each passport stamped without the passport holder's presence," said a source. Initial investigations uncovered 14 foreign passports, four mobile phones belonging to the two main suspects, and around RM3,000 in cash believed to be bribe money. When contacted, Johor MACC deputy operations director Hairul Ilham Hamzah confirmed the arrests, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009. "All four suspects will be brought to the Johor Baru Magistrate's Court on Sunday (July 27) morning for a remand application," he said. On Saturday, AKPS BSI CIQ commander Roszita Dim said the first two male suspects were detained on Friday following a covert surveillance operation by the AKPS compliance unit that began at 3 p.m. on the same day. "Our operation targeted the team on duty at the CIQ complex, where suspicious activity was first detected around 7.30 p.m. at the vehicle zone counter at the entry checkpoint. "Investigators observed several questionable entries of visitor data using an officer's login credentials at the counter, including data linked to foreign nationals flagged as problematic visitors. "These entries triggered manual data correction actions by one of the suspects," she said. Roszita added that another instance of suspicious data clearance involving a problematic visitor was detected at around 9 p.m She then said that in this incident, a supervisor's user ID stationed in the motorcycle zone was used. "A search at the vehicle zone counter uncovered RM2,800 in cash and two mobile phones in one of the suspect's possession. "The investigation then led to a concealed stash of 14 foreign passports, with 11 belonging to Chinese nationals and three to Indonesian nationals, hidden inside a black bag above the ceiling at another counter," she said. A 'flying passport' refers to an illegal immigration tactic in which passports are carried—often by third parties—across borders without the physical presence of their holders. The passports are then returned to their owners, who had entered the country through unauthorised channels. This method allows problematic individuals to bypass immigration checks and security protocols undetected.
New Straits Times
5 days 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.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
'Flying passport': Two enforcement officers at JB-Singapore border arrested
JOHOR BARU: Two enforcement officers attached to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) in the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) here were arrested last night over their involvement in "flying passport" activities. Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) BSI commander Roszita Dim said the two male suspects, aged 31 and 49, were arrested after an operation. "Flying passport" refers to the extension of a stay permit where the passport holder does not leave the country, which is a legal requirement. Usually, those involved facilitate the process by stamping a foreigner's passport without them leaving the country. During the operation, MCBA found several suspicious visitor data entries linked to the login information of the officers on duty, with the first detected at 7.30pm. The data belonged to foreigners who were previously flagged by the authorities. Roszita said another suspicious data entry was logged at 9pm linked to the user ID of a supervisor stationed at a counter for vehicles. "A search at the vehicle zone counter found RM2,800 in cash and two mobile phones in the possession of one of the suspects," she told a press conference. "Further investigation led to the discovery of 14 foreign passports hidden in a black bag in the ceiling of another counter." Eleven passports belonged to Chinese nationals, while another three belonged to Indonesians. Roszita added that further checks in the motorcycle zone found two more mobile phones belonging to the second suspect, which were also seized for further investigation. She said both suspects were immediately arrested and handed over to the Johor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at 10am today. "Investigations into both suspects are still ongoing, including the possibility of their involvement in a syndicate carrying out similar activities. "We have reported this case to the MCBA headquarters in Putrajaya," she said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Two enforcement officers arrested at BSI CIQ for passport misconduct
JOHOR BAHRU: Two enforcement officers were arrested at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex last night over suspected involvement in a 'Flying Passport' misconduct. The practice involves illegally clearing passports without the holders being present. Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) BSI CIQ commander Roszita Dim confirmed the arrests, stating that a 31-year-old officer and a 49-year-old supervisor were detained at 9 pm following surveillance by the agency's Compliance Unit. 'Surveillance at 7.30 pm detected suspicious visitor data entries using an officer's user ID at the car zone counter. Problematic foreign visitor records were also found, requiring correction by the supervisor,' Roszita said during a press conference. A search at the car counter revealed RM2,800 in cash and two mobile phones. Further interrogation led to the discovery of 11 Chinese and three Indonesian passports hidden in a black bag above another counter's ceiling. Two more phones were seized from the motorcycle zone supervisor's counter. Both suspects were handed over to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Johor this morning. The case has been reported to the AKPS Integrity Unit in Putrajaya. 'Our surveillance lasted about a week. Whether this involves a syndicate is still under investigation,' Roszita added. - Bernama
