PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained a Bangladeshi company director suspected of being an agent for the 'counter setting' syndicate.
The syndicate allegedly bribed enforcement officers to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into the country through air entry points without undergoing proper checks.
Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted a two-day remand for the suspect until tomorrow, following an application made by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court this morning.
He was detained during an operation conducted by the MACC in the Klang Valley at around 8pm last night, according to a source.
The male suspect, believed to be in his 50s, allegedly offered bribes ranging from RM200 to RM25,000 to enforcement officers in exchange for protection, facilitation, and immunity from enforcement actions against foreign nationals who did not meet legal requirements or follow proper procedures.
The arrest follows previous arrests made in relation to the case.
"The suspect is believed to have acted as an agent and intermediary, committing these offences between 2022 and 2024, said the source.
Meanwhile, MACC's intelligence director Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed the arrest and stated that the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
The Immigration Department has said they were taking action to reform work processes and service delivery, following reports of 'counter setting' operating at KLIA.
Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban had said they acknowledged the weaknesses that had allowed syndicates to bring in foreigners using the 'counter-setting' modus operandi.
MACC has been going after this 'counter setting' syndicate which is believed to have a wide range of networks, including locals, foreigners, and also civil servants, among others for more than a month now.
"The suspect is believed to have acted as an agent and intermediary, committing these offences between 2022 and 2024, said the source.
Meanwhile, MACC's intelligence director Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed the arrest and stated that the case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.