Visa syndicate: Immigration DG promises no compromise

The Immigration Department has assured that it will not compromise on its officers who are involved in the “medical visa syndicate” to bring migrants into the country.

The commitment was given hours after Malaysiakini revealed a probe by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) into immigration officers.

“Strict action will be taken, regardless of rank or position,” said Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban in a brief statement today.

Earlier this afternoon, citing sources, this portal reported that the EAIC raided the visa section of the immigration office last week, seizing documents and taking statements from immigration officials.

The EAIC is a federal statutory body established, among other things, to investigate complaints of misconduct by enforcement officers or enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the EAIC in a brief statement confirmed it was present at the Visa, Passport, and Permit Division of the Immigration Department’s Putrajaya office.

It also confirmed carrying out the seizure of 156 social visit pass application files (Treatment Pass category), following section 41 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700).

It said the seizure was following allegations that Immigration officials issued social visit passes to migrants without complying with procedures.

The EAIC said a full investigation is being conducted into the complaint, under subsection 27(4) read together with subsection 26(3) of the EAIC Act.

Bringing in workers via tourist, medical visas

In its initial report, Malaysiakini quoted an immigration department source saying the department’s visa division was raided last week and documents were seized as part of the investigation.

The source added that some officials were called to testify.

Last month, the MACC arrested two immigration officers who were believed to have conspired with syndicate agents to bring in migrants through the “counter setting” method at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 1 and KLIA2.

Before that, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said 60 individuals, including 50 enforcement agency officers, were found to be conspiring in the activity.

A source from the Home Ministry and a foreign agent with knowledge of this syndicate said the “medical visa setting” has been prevalent in Malaysia for a long time.

The agent explained that while the “counter-setting” method at the airport involves bringing illegal workers into the country through tourist visas, the medical visa syndicate brings in migrants by providing medical visas so they enter under the pretence of obtaining medical treatment.

“This new investigation involves the approval of more than 20,000 medical visas granted last year for only one state. The cost is around RM4,500 (per visa).

“As far as I know, more than RM8 million is involved in this syndicate,” the agent added.

The Home Ministry source revealed that various agencies under other ministries were also involved in the syndicate.

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