KUALA LUMPUR: The recent exposé on cartels in the Immigration Department involve leftovers of brokers or foreign agents who have been detected trying to manipulate the department's weaknesses.
It was learnt that these brokers have found it tough nowadays for them to manipulate things when the Immigration Department enforced an online system.
Nonetheless, the cartel brokers or agents were detected trying to infiltrate the department's online system and manipulate Immigration officers, targeting those who were greedy and with no integrity.
A source told Berita Harian these irresponsible brokers existed due to the government's previous policy of appointing agents to manage the entry of foreigners such as students, expatriates, foreign workers and maids.
"These people are still around, although the online system is fully enforced by the Immigration Department, and will find ways to take advantage of its weaknesses.
"If there are Immigration officers with no integrity, this will open up opportunities for brokers who are out to make profits," he told BH.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted, said he also believed that Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin's revelation on the matter had involved those trying to manipulate the Immigration Department's system.
However, he said the MACC had yet to receive details on the allegations and would need the Immigration Department to furnish them with information.
As suggested by the home minister, who had asked the Immigration Department director-general to probe and act against officers suspected of working hand-in-glove with such syndicates, Azam said MACC would only come in when there was any element of corruption and would leave it to the Immigration Department to conduct its investigations.
"Based on what I see from the reports, it is likely that it involves those who want to be brokers within the existing system in the Immigration Department. If there is any truth in this, these `brokers' must be monitored," he said.
On the actual size of the cartel, Azam declined to comment.
"I can't say anything on this and will let the Immigration Department conduct its investigation first. If they share any intel, then we will see what can be done," he said.
Hamzah was reported as saying on Wednesday that his ministry had received information on the existence of cartels at various levels among immigration officers that affected the department's integrity.
He had said the involvement of department officials allowed cartels to deal freely in the department's offices, including at the airport entrance.
Hamzah had given his assurances that the illegal activities would be investigated thoroughly.