'Big fish' in medical visa syndicate still swimming freely: Sources

The MACC has arrested over 50 immigration officers after a crackdown was launched against a medical visa and counter-setting syndicate.

However, multiple sources, including from the Immigration Department, told Malaysiakini that the “big fish” in this scandal remain untouched.

“This counter-setting and medical visa syndicate is not new. In 2020, there were mass arrests,” said an agent from Bangladesh who only wanted to be identified as Najib.

“Last year, enforcement agencies detained dozens of foreign nationals from China who entered our country using medical visas at a resort island in Malaysia.

“The question is, why is this still happening and not eradicated? It's simple, the ‘big fish’ are still free and untouchable,” he added.

Many parties involved

In a recent meeting around the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) area, Najib said the syndicate could not be wiped out because it involves many parties.

“The Immigration Department is just the front line. There are many other government agencies behind the syndicate, such as enforcement agencies, local councils, and those related to tourism,” he said.

Najib explained that if an immigration officer is caught, others from different agencies will step in to replace them.

“It’s that easy... because the ‘big fish’ are still free.

“As long as the ‘big fish’ remain free, these syndicates cannot be eliminated,” said Najib.

Najib also admitted that he had been involved in bringing foreign workers into the country for five years and was once detained by the MACC.

Ready to expose

He is now ready to expose the activities of the syndicate because he plans to return to his home country as “business is no longer good.”

“There’s an (arrest) operation. So, we were told to be ‘submarines’ (inactive) until new orders arrive.

“I’ll be heading back for now. I might return to Malaysia or just stay in Bangladesh,” he said.

Cartel members

Malaysiakini’s meeting with several former immigration officers and agents found that at least three individuals were identified as key “cartel” members in the syndicate.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a former immigration officer said that individuals known as Tok Yah or Tok Ayah and DK were the two main masterminds.

According to him, Tok Yah was a government official holding a significant position in one of the enforcement agencies.

DK, on the other hand, was a businessperson from Johor.

According to sources, Tok Yah and DK’s group remains active even after three other groups have been “tamed.”

The former officer who once served at KLIA described Tok Yah as the “godfather” of the group.

“His name rarely ‘explodes’ (gets exposed). Only those around him and those familiar with the syndicate really know of his ‘existence’ in the syndicate.

“He often uses his ‘boys’ to run the related syndicates, while DK plays the role of the brains (planner).”

DK is reportedly assisted by a businessperson known as “Adik” who lives in Conezion, Putrajaya.

He is said to act as an intermediary with the Immigration Department.

‘Hands in every corner’

When asked why they are hard to catch, the former officer replied: “Because their ‘hands’ are in every corner.”

“The most important thing is that you need to have contacts in all relevant agencies.

“I’m not sure (if this is true), but sometimes, these two even drag in the name of ‘the palace’ from a certain state to run the syndicate,” he alleged.

Last week, Malaysiakini reported that the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) was investigating several Immigration Department officers over their alleged participation in the medical visa syndicate involving foreign nationals.

The EAIC stated that the investigation is being conducted under subsection 27(4) read with subsection 26(3) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009.

On Oct 1, the agency visited the Visa, Pass, and Permit Division at the Immigration Department’s Putrajaya branch and seized 156 social visit pass application files (medical treatment pass category).

The Immigration Department, in turn, assured that it would not compromise with its officers involved in the medical visa syndicate to bring in foreign nationals.

‘Medical visas and scammers’

A Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry officer told Malaysiakini that most foreign nationals who enter using medical visas are scammers.

“Within six months, most of the time, they are involved in various scams with the help of locals.

“After six months, they return to their home countries,” he said.

He further alleged that it is difficult to trace them for legal action because the period is too short for intelligence gathering.

“So, think about it, within six months, they could scam hundreds of Malaysians and possibly rake in tens of millions of ringgit,” he said, describing the syndicate as a “curse” for the country.

The ministry is responsible for issuing approval letters to foreign nationals applying for medical visas.

Once approved by the ministry, the Immigration Department will issue the medical visa.

Malaysiakini has posed questions to the EAIC on whether they have identified the masterminds mentioned in the report.

However, the statutory body tasked with investigating complaints of misconduct by enforcement agencies or officers said the matter would be investigated by the special task force formed.

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