August 19, 2024
A syndicate posing as immigration agents and offering visa application and renewal services to foreigners has been uncovered, with operations spread across seven locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Negeri Sembilan. Despite their efforts to avoid detection, the group was exposed by immigration authorities, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Ruslin announced at a press conference today (19th) that enforcement officers conducted a series of raids last Thursday (15th) at 10 a.m. in areas including Cheras, Mid Valley, Desa Pandan, Taman Miharja, Sungai Besi, Sepang, and Enstek Town. The operation resulted in the detention of eight individuals, aged between 33 and 53, comprising four local men (including two ringleaders), two Chinese women, and two customers—a Chinese man and a Filipino woman.
The syndicate is accused of providing visa services to foreigners, and during the raids, authorities seized 107 passports, mostly from China, Thailand, and Taiwan, with 100 of them being Chinese passports. These passports were all genuine.
Ruslin stated that the syndicate charged between RM1,200 and RM15,000 for their services, significantly higher than the rates officially offered by the immigration department.
The authorities are conducting thorough investigations from multiple angles and have pledged to take strict action if any internal immigration personnel are found to be involved in the criminal activities. Six of the suspects will face charges under the Passport Act 1966 for unlawful possession of passports, while the two customers are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to produce valid documents.
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Dato' Ruslin bin Jusoh Is the Director-General of the Malaysian Immigration Department, a position he has held since March 22, 2023. Prior to this role, he served as the Director-General of the National Registration Department from April 5, 2019, to March 22, 2023. In 2016, he was awarded the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP), which carries the title "Dato'.
Law of Malaysia Passport Act 1966(act 150)
Passport Act 1966 (Act 150) is a Malaysian law that governs the issuance, regulation, and management of passports. It outlines who can receive a passport, the penalties for illegal possession or misuse of passports, and the government’s authority to refuse or revoke passports for reasons such as national security. The act ensures that Malaysian passports are used legally and responsibly.
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The Immigration Act 1959/63 is a Malaysian law that regulates the entry, residence, and departure of non-citizens. It sets the rules for visas, permits, and passes, defines immigration offenses, and outlines the penalties for illegal entry, overstaying, and other violations. The act empowers authorities to enforce immigration controls and manage the presence of foreigners in the country.