Latest news with #ePass
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Immigration DG says work permit issued to detainee in viral video suspected to be fake
KUALA LUMPUR: A work permit shown in a viral video, allegedly issued to a detainee at an immigration depot, is suspected to be fake, said Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban. Checks revealed that the QR code on the permit had been tampered with, and cross-verification via the MyIMMs system using the passport number showed no record of a Temporary Work Visit Pass. "Investigations are underway to identify the source of the data misuse and ensure legal action is taken," Zakaria said in a statement today. The claim surfaced in a video showing a couple meeting the video's account holder to discuss allegations that a work permit had been issued to the woman's brother while in detention. In the video, a couple claimed they paid RM5,000 to a man titled "Datuk" to procure a Temporary Work Visit Pass in exchange for the detainee's release. Despite the QR code appearing valid in the system, the detainee was not released in court and remains in custody. Zakaria also denied claims circulating on social media that a "Datuk" could arrange a temporary work visit pass or ePass documents to free a detainee, stressing that all immigration transactions must go through official counters or the department's online portal. He urged anyone with information or who has fallen victim to such scams to lodge a police report and contact the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- New Indian Express
Madras High Court asks government to shut illegal homestay facilities in Ooty & Kodai, form panel
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered the state government to crack the whip on unauthorised homestay facilities being run in the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal immediately and close down those operating without valid licence from the government departments concerned. It also ordered setting up of a three-member committee headed by the district revenue officer (DRO) in the Nilgiris and Dindigul districts for holding field inspection to check the credentials of the homestays (bed-and-breakfasts). A special bench comprising Justices N Sathish Kumar and D Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the order on Friday while hearing a batch of petitions pertaining to forest-related matters. The committee will comprise municipal commissioner and district tourism officer. 'A thorough inspection shall be made by this committee to check whether the homestays have obtained proper licence from the tourism department or the local bodies. If they are found to have violated the norms, they must be closed down forthwith,' the bench ordered, adding that the inspection shall be held throughout the hills. It instructed the authorities concerned to introduce a dedicated mobile number with social media access so as to enable the public to share details of unauthorised facilities or to lodge complaints. Pointing out that numerous unauthorised homestays are operating in the hill stations, the bench said there is 'an urgent necessity' to crack down on them. The bench also expressed concern about the homestays fleecing tourists during the peak season for offering their services, and wanted the committee to check if these facilities have obtained a proper building plan and whether they have converted a residential building into a commercial one without permission. It directed the government to file a report on June 20 in this regard. ePass upper limit The special bench of the high court permitted district collectors of the Nilgiris and Dindigul to increase the upper cap for issuing ePass for vehicles entering these hill stations by 500 and 300, respectively during the summer festivals such as the Flower Show, Fruit Show and Rose Show
