Immigration Officers Among 12 Arrested in Fake Work Pass Syndicate Bust

A significant crackdown on corruption has led to the arrest of 12 individuals, including several high-ranking officials, for their alleged involvement in a syndicate that produced fake Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS). The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) announced the arrests, which included six officers from the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) and one police officer.

The syndicate is accused of illegally issuing 1,306 fake PLKS, resulting in an estimated loss of RM2.4 million to the Malaysian government. The arrested individuals, aged between 30 and 40, also include two company directors and three foreign nationals. The operation, conducted between July 28, involved simultaneous raids at the SPRM headquarters and several JIM locations in Penang.

According to SPRM Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman, this joint operation between SPRM and JIM aimed to dismantle a network that had been hacking into the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs). This system was allegedly exploited to process and approve PLKS applications unlawfully. Initial investigations suggest the syndicate took advantage of the 2011 PLKS quota to issue passes without the proper levy payments to the government.

The investigation, which began in May, was a result of intelligence sharing between the SPRM and JIM intelligence divisions. Cyber Security Malaysia, Telekom Malaysia, and SPRM's Technology Forensics Division also provided support. During the operation, investigators searched company premises and JIM offices in Penang and Putrajaya for evidence. The case is being investigated under Sections 17(a) and 16(a) of the SPRM Act 2009. The suspects are expected to be brought before the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court for remand orders to assist with the ongoing investigation.

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The investigation found that this syndicate exploited the PLKS quota for 2011 to issue passes illegally without making the proper levy payments to the government.