Visa syndicate: Give us names of 'big fish', Saifuddin tells Mkini

PARLIAMENT | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today called for Malaysiakini to provide authorities with the names of three alleged “big fish” behind a medical visa and counter-setting syndicate.

This followed Malaysiakini’s exclusive article published earlier this morning, where sources claimed the real masterminds behind the syndicate were still roaming free despite a recent MACC crackdown.

“I would like to ask Kepong to tell Malaysiakini to give the names to us. We will pass the names to MACC so they can arrest the suspects.

“That would be easier. Get their full names and a list of their activities with proof, and I will pass the information on.

“I guarantee you that I will personally deliver the information to MACC,” Saifuddin (above) said during Minister’s Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat.

He was responding to a supplementary question by Lim Lip Eng (Harapan-Kepong), who asked the minister to explain whether the government knows about the three alleged masterminds and why they have not been arrested.

This morning, Malaysiakini’s report quoted multiple sources claiming that the “big fish” have remained untouchable despite MACC’s crackdown against the syndicate that netted over 50 immigration officers.

They claimed that the individuals known as Tok Yah or Tok Ayah and DK were the two main masterminds, while DK is reportedly assisted by a businessperson known as “Adik” who lives in Conezion, Putrajaya.

‘Apologise to Tiong’

Saifuddin in his answer also chastised Lim for trying to pit him against Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing (GPS-Bintulu).

This comes after the DAP leader suggested the Immigration Department, which is under Saifuddin’s purview, apologise to Tiong over the scandal.

In his question to Saifuddin, Lim expressed his belief that the department owed Tiong an apology as he was the first minister to expose the syndicate’s activities last year.

To this, Saifuddin told Lim that MPs should not make sweeping statements in Parliament.

“Secondly, please do not try to pit me against my friend, Bintulu. We have been working together harmoniously as a team.

“He and I can advise and criticise each other, having differences is normal.

“And Kepong, this issue about counter-setting activities is not something new. It did not happen only when Bintulu raised the issue, but it is an old disease.

“The most important matter now is for us to find a cure for this disease,” he said.

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