A Malaysian has been identified as the mastermind of a syndicate that sabotaged the myIMMs immigration system, deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said today.

Noor Rashid said the police had also identified several other people involved in the sabotage and would make arrests soon.

"These people are from a local syndicate that had carried out the sabotage. They managed to lure one or two immigration officers initially and the number eventually grew," he told a press conference after inaugurating the Sime Darby Property auxiliary police service in Petaling Jaya.

Asked about the statement by Immigration Department director-general Sakib Kusmi yesterday that an international syndicate was involved, Noor Rashid (photo) said the international syndicate was believed to have collaborated with the local syndicate in the crime.

Replying to another question, he said the police would focus on eradicating the local syndicate before seeking Interpol aid to go after the international syndicate.

Sakib had also said that 37 immigration officers had been penalised since February over the sabotage, with 15 of them sacked, 14 suspended and eight having their salary raise frozen.

The first series of the Auditor-General's Report of 2015 had stated that the myIMMs developed to support the major operations of the Immigration Department was less satisfactory and did not meet its objective.

Noor Rashid also praised Sime Darby Property for setting up its auxiliary police unit, saying the company's effort was in line with the National Blue Ocean Strategy that placed great emphasis on safety and security of the people.

"At the core of this collaboration is how the Royal Malaysia Police helps business corporations like Sime Darby Property to enhance their capacity and capability to contribute towards communal safety and public security," he said.

Sime Darby Property managing director Jauhari Hamidi said the unit was part of the company's approach to reinforce security at all levels and future Sime Darby Property townships, with the aim of creating a safer environment for the community.

"The first batch, comprising 32 personnel, will be deployed to selected townships and developments for now and we plan to expand the unit with more trained personnel being deployed across all our townships soon," Jauhari said.

- Bernama