Malaysia busts migrant smuggling syndicate

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has dismantled a syndicate involved in smuggling foreign nationals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and Nepal into the country.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the syndicate’s activities were uncovered following the arrest of 12 people, comprising nine men and three women aged between 20 and 50, during a raid across the Klang Valley, Penang, and Kelantan on August 20.

According to him, those arrested included four company owners, and three civilians who are believed to have played roles in managing the entry of these foreign nationals, as well as five enforcement officers stationed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2.

The syndicate is believed to have profited millions of RM, and investigations have detected the entry of funds amounting to over RM 4 million (around $860,000) since 2022, believed to be related to the facilitation of foreign nationals' entry, with a portion of the funds being distributed among the involved enforcement officers.

Azam said the syndicate's modus operandi involved “counter setting”, where they collaborated with enforcement officers at the country's entry points who were stationed at specific counters to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals.

The group of foreign nationals wishing to enter the country would contact an agent responsible for managing their flight tickets and dealings with the enforcement officers, he said, adding the agent would provide the foreigners’ details for the officers who would enable their entrance without undergoing necessary inspections.

Under Immigration Circular No. 4, those foreign nationals must present a valid passport or documentation, hold a visa, have a valid return ticket, possess sufficient funds for their stay, and provide the address of their accommodation or hotel booking.