Fake transit ploy foiled at KLIA, 105 foreign nationals ordered to leave

 Border control agency says the scheme involves claiming to be transiting through Malaysia en route to a third country but without a valid connecting ticket.

The border control agency said it would enhance its surveilance at all international gateways in the country and conduct thorough checks on all foreigners entering or leaving the country.

PETALING JAYA:

 An attempt by a group of foreign nationals to enter the country on the pretext of being here on transit was thwarted by the Malaysian border control agency at KLIA on Thursday.

The agency said that over 400 individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India were screened during a targeted operation at Terminal 1, Bernama reported.

“Of these, 105 were found not to meet entry requirements and were subsequently ordered to return to their countries of origin.

“The tactic involved claiming to be transiting through Malaysia en route to a third country,” the agency was quoted as saying in a statement.

However, investigations conducted in collaboration with the airlines revealed that their connecting flight tickets to these third-country destinations had been cancelled as soon as the individuals boarded their flights to KLIA.

“This was a deliberate ploy to mislead immigration officers,” it said.

The agency said it would enhance its surveilance at all international gateways in the country and conduct thorough checks on all individuals entering or leaving Malaysia.

It also issued a stern warning, stressing that no leniency would be shown to any party, including immigration officers found to be negligent or complicit, who will face disciplinary and legal action. - FMT