KUALA LUMPUR: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) chairman, Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar, has confirmed that 10 Immigration Department officers have been summoned in connection with an investigation into a medical visa scandal involving foreign nationals.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Ismail however, said he cannot divulge more details, fearing that it would jeopardise the investigations.
"Yes, we are currently focusing on that case (medical visa scandal). I can't comment (more) on this yet because it's still under investigation.
"Let's wait for the investigation to conclude. Otherwise, we might jeopardise our investigation," he said when met at the Madani government's second-anniversary event here today.
When asked if more would be called to the EAIC, Ismail said it depends on the current needs of the probe.
"We'll update as we progress to see what results come from the ongoing investigation," he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that an assistant director is among 10 officers from the Immigration Department summoned by the EAIC in the probe.
According to sources, all the officers involved, including a senior assistant director reportedly serving in the Security and Passport Division, were called throughout the week to provide their statements.
An Immigration Department source also revealed that the EAIC's Special Task Force raided the implicated assistant director's office. However, it remains unclear whether any documents or files were seized for investigation purposes.
Previously, the EAIC was reported to have established a Special Task Force under subsection 17(1) of the EAIC Act 2009 [Act 700] to investigate misconduct related to the issuance of medical visas to foreign nationals from several countries.
The Special Task Force is headed by Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik, who is also one of the EAIC Commissioners.
Based on preliminary findings presented at a commission meeting on Oct 15, it was decided that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted into suspicious activities associated with the syndicate, using documents that had been seized.
On Oct 8, the EAIC reportedly visited the Visa, Pass, and Permit Division of the Immigration Department in Putrajaya, where they seized 156 application files for Social Visit Passes (Treatment Pass category).
The seizure followed complaints alleging that Immigration Department officers issued Social Visit Passes (Treatment Pass category) to foreign nationals without adhering to proper procedures.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, when contacted by Berita Harian yesterday declined to comment, instead advising reference to the EAIC as they were conducting the investigation.