'Counter setting' syndicate: 49 immigration officers, one policeman, 10 agents arrested - MACC
18/09/2024
The Chief Commissioner, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Tan Sri Azam Baki showed the confiscated items at the Ops Setting press conference at the MACC headquarters today.
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested a total of 50 law enforcers on suspicion of conspiring with a syndicate that brought in foreigners through the country's air gateway through the 'counter setting' modus operandi or 'special counter route'.
MACC Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki said, of the total, 49 law enforcers involved were officers at the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) and another was a member of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
He said that a total of 12 JIM officers were arrested in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan (8), Kuala Lumpur (6), Pahang (6), Johor (4), Melaka (4), the Intelligence Division (9) and a PDRM female sergeant. in Kuala Lumpur.
"In addition to the enforcement officers in two agencies arrested in Op Pump, the MACC also arrested 10 syndicate agents in connection with this 'counter setting' case.
"Two agents were arrested in Kuala Lumpur, while eight others who were civilians or account donkeys were arrested in Penang and the Klang Valley," he said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Commenting further, Azam said a total of 37 investigation papers were opened in relation to this high-profile case.
According to him, his party has also taken statements from 95 individuals.
Through the arrests made, he said, the party also seized cash amounting to RM518,250 which was found from a senior female immigration officer Grade KP22 in Pahang.
He explained that the money was placed in a trunk in his bedroom.
In addition, according to him, a sum of RM248,443 in cash was confiscated from a male immigration officer Grade KP19 in Malacca and the money was found under the bed in his master bedroom.
"A total of RM1.4 million in cash was seized, in addition to MACC also seizing US$9,900 in cash and Baht 5,470," he said.
Azam added that his party also seized and seized nine cars and 13 motorbikes believed to have been bought with bribe money.
In addition, he said, his party also confiscated 27 gold dinars weighing 575.75 grams with an estimated value of over RM200,000.
He explained that the gold dinars were seized from the Senior Immigration Officer Grade KP22 in Negeri Sembilan. "More than 75 pieces of jewelry such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants and earrings were confiscated, in addition to more than 12 watches of various brands and more than 30 smartphones of various brands and laptops were confiscated," he said.
Meanwhile, Azam said, a total of 215 bank accounts belonging to 16 companies and 84 individuals were frozen and the value of the freezing amounted to RM3.6 million.
As for the accusation process, according to him, a Myanmar agent was accused on August 28 at the Shah Alam Sessions Court and four individuals who are also agents will be accused in the near future, while the remaining suspects are still under investigation.
