PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Azam Baki, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), has stated that other authorities may have been involved in the abuse of the Foreign Visa System (VLN) in order to bring Bangladeshi nationals to work in Malaysia. He mentioned that they are not ruling out this possibility and are currently investigating the matter.
Azam mentioned, “We are not ruling out the possible involvement of some authorities,” during a press conference following the launch of the use of body-worn cameras by MACC enforcement personnel. He further added that MACC has already arrested three Immigration officers stationed at the Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka and a high-ranking executive from a foreign workers company regarding the issuance of visas.
Azam also stated that his officers are currently investigating the money trail involving the payments made by Bangladeshis to obtain tourist visas, which they used to enter Malaysia for employment. He also suggested that the hawala system might have been used in this process. Hawala is a system of money transfers that operates outside of official banking and financial systems.
When asked about the two Immigration officers who were arrested earlier this year, Azam replied that they have not been charged yet and investigations are still ongoing. Regarding their suspension or termination from duty, he mentioned that it is a decision for the Immigration Department to make.
In April, the MACC conducted a special operation called Ops Taka, which resulted in the arrest of two Immigration officers. The agency also froze 20 accounts and assets worth approximately RM3.1 million. On July 27, the MACC arrested the third officer and the managing director of a foreign workers company, as they believe the two individuals accepted bribes exceeding RM100 million. The modus operandi involved abusing the VLN system by approving visa applications for a fee of US$300 to US$500 (approximately RM1,350 to RM2,250) to bring in workers disguised as tourists.
The remand order for the two individuals who were arrested has been extended by two more days after being remanded for four days. In addition to investigating corruption and power abuse, the MACC is also looking into weaknesses in systems and procedures related to the rare earth elements (REE) mining case in Kedah, which is believed to have been conducted illegally. Azam mentioned that there are more witnesses to be called to assist in the ongoing probe, and the total number of individuals arrested remains at four.
The MACC has initiated investigations into allegations of power abuse regarding the issue of REE mining.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
