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New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Travel agency director among two Bangladeshis held for bribing KLIA enforcement officers
KUALA LUMPUR: Two Bangladeshi men, including the director of a Kuala Lumpur-based travel agency, have been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly masterminding a syndicate that facilitated the entry of foreigners by bribing enforcement officers at Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Sources said the suspects, both in their 50s, were arrested in an operation conducted in Negri Sembilan between 5pm and 7pm yesterday. "Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects acted as agents for foreign nationals, bribing enforcement officers at the airport to ease the entry process for these individuals at the country's entry points. "The syndicate's modus operandi involved approaching enforcement officers at the airport to engage in 'counter-setting' activities. "The officers involved would then facilitate the immigration clearance process for these foreign nationals," the source said. Both suspects have been remanded for six days starting today until July 20 to assist in investigations into the case. Yesterday, the MACC's Intelligence Division carried out a joint integrated operation known as Op Recruit in Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur. The operation, conducted jointly with the Border Control and Protection Agency and the Immigration Department's Intelligence and Special Operations Division, also involved members of the MACC's elite Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad, following intelligence gathered since early this year. During the raids, the MACC seized three mobile phones and various foreign currencies, including US dollars, Indonesian rupiah, and Bangladeshi taka, with a total value of about RM16,000. According to the source, between January and early this month, the MACC detected 10 transactions amounting to about RM138,000. "Preliminary investigations showed that for each foreigner, enforcement officers were bribed between RM1,800 and RM2,500. "Payments were made in cash through middlemen, typically inside vehicles or at the suspects' residences around Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan," the source added. Meanwhile, MACC Intelligence Division Senior Director Datuk Saiful Ezral Arifin confirmed the arrests when contacted. He said the case is being investigated under Section 16(b) of the MACC Act 2009.


The Sun
15-07-2025
- The Sun
MACC arrests two Bangladeshis in KLIA bribery syndicate case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained two Bangladeshi nationals suspected of leading a syndicate that facilitated illegal entry for foreign nationals by bribing airport enforcement officers. The suspects, both in their 50s, were arrested during an operation conducted yesterday in Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur, and one of them is a director of an overseas-based tourism company. A source familiar with the case stated, 'The suspects are believed to be foreign agents who offered bribes to enforcement officers at KLIA 1 to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals through the country's entry points.' The syndicate's method, known as 'counter setting,' involved influencing immigration officers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA 1) to expedite clearance for foreign arrivals without proper checks. Following their arrest, the suspects were remanded for six days until July 20 under a court order issued by Senior Registrar Shaik Zuladdruse Merican Sadzol Othman Merican at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court. MACC Intelligence Division senior director Datuk Saiful Ezral Arifin confirmed the arrests, stating that the case is being investigated under Section 16(b) of the MACC Act 2009. – Bernama


The Star
15-07-2025
- The Star
MACC nabs two Bangladeshis linked to 'counter setting' syndicate
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested two Bangladeshi men, including a director of an overseas-based tourism company, on suspicion of masterminding a syndicate involved in bringing foreign nationals into the country without undergoing proper checks. 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