Misusing VLN: Two nabbed over alleged bribes totalling RM100m

An enforcement officer previously stationed at the Bangladesh High Commission was among two individuals arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes of over RM100 million since 2021.

Sources said enforcement officials accepted bribes to approve visa applications by Bangladeshi nationals entering Malaysia, supposedly for tourism purposes.

"The result of the investigation found that the officer is believed to have conspired with employment agencies in Bangladesh and Malaysia by deliberately abusing the Foreign Visa System (VLN) to bring in Bangladeshi citizens to work in Malaysia since 2021.

"The officer is believed to have received a payment of around RM1,363 (US$300) to RM2,272 (US$500) for each VLN application approval, involving bribes over RM100 million, even though the visa payment set by the government was only RM105,” the source said.

Following that, the MACC arrested another individual believed to be the managing director of a manpower supply company suspected of conspiring with the enforcement officer involved.

Sources said the two individuals in their 30s were believed to have been arrested at about 6.30pm yesterday when they were called to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

"The officer is the third enforcement agency personnel arrested to assist in investigations under the operation codenamed ‘Op Taka’ launched last April by MACC’s Anti-Money Laundering Division in collaboration with the Immigration Department.

Magistrate M Mageshwary allowed an application for the two men to be remanded until July 31 at the Shah Alam Court today.

MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the arrest of the two men involved.

- Bernama