PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is looking for a man, believed to be the mastermind of a syndicate related to the illegal entry of foreigners at both terminals of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
To date, more than a dozen suspects, including enforcement officers attached to the airport terminals and foreigners playing the role of agents, have been detained to facilitate the investigation into the syndicate.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki yesterday said investigators are on the hunt for a man, believed to be the syndicate's main suspect, named Roney Irwan Mohamad Nor, 49.
He said the suspect is wanted by investigators to facilitate investigations under Section 17(a) Macc Act 2009.
"His last known address is C-T02-U03, Fasa P18R13, Presint 18, 62100, Putrajaya," he said.
A source close to the investigation said two more enforcement officers at KLIA were arrested and remanded over the same case of bribery related to allowing illegal entry of foreigners.
"The two suspects, in their 30s and 40s, were detained around 6.30am on Tuesday while giving their statements at the MACC office in Kuala Lumpur.
"Following their arrest, they were brought to the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court on the same day, where magistrate Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim issued a four-day remand order until Aug 6 for both men."
The source added that both suspects are believed to have been involved in similar syndicates since 2016.
"They are suspected of accepting bribes ranging from RM300 to RM2,500 in exchange for allowing foreigners to enter the country using a 'counter setting' modus operandi," said the source.
This development follows the detention of five suspects, including three enforcement officers, who were remanded on Aug 30 and later released on bail by MACC upon the conclusion of their remand period.
Azam confirmed the latest two arrests.
A nationwide investigation is ongoing, with arrests made in Penang and Kelantan.