The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has issued new instructions to the police to complete investigations into the alleged involvement of Immigration Department officers in a medical visa syndicate.
AGC prosecution division head Masri Daud informed that his division had received the investigation papers, but determined that several matters needed to be detailed before any further action is taken.
“The investigation papers regarding immigration officers suspected of being involved in the syndicate issuing treatment visas to foreigners have been received.
“After review, several more instructions were issued to the investigating officer to complete the investigation papers before any decision is made,” he told Malaysiakini.
The move follows an earlier instruction by the AGC in November last year for the police to open an investigation paper regarding the allegation, after receiving findings from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC).
20,000 visas, RM4,500 ‘per head’
On July 28 last year, the EAIC recommended criminal charges against immigration officers suspected of involvement in the medical visa syndicate.
The EAIC stated this was a finding from a special task force established to investigate the issuance of medical visas to foreigners that did not adhere to proper procedures.
The EAIC also stated that six immigration officers were recommended for disciplinary action for processing and approving long-term visit passes (treatment visas) without adhering to the Immigration Malaysia Circular No 10/2001.
Apart from that, an administrative and diplomatic officer was also recommended for disciplinary action for failing to monitor the officers under them, the EAIC added.
On Oct 15, 2024, the EAIC established a special task force to scrutinise breaches in the medical visa approval process, including reviewing compliance with existing procedures, taking statements from relevant witnesses, seizing documents, and preparing appropriate recommendations for further action by the authorities.
The investigation involved the approval of over 20,000 medical visas granted last year in a single state, with the syndicate charging around RM4,500 per head.
Big fish
Malaysiakini understands that among the big names believed to be involved in the medical visa syndicate are a senior immigration officer and a businessperson from Johor, known respectively as Tok Yah and DK.
In October last year, Malaysiakini exposed Tok Yah and DK’s activities as among the “big fish” involved with immigration syndicates but remained untouched by the law.
Malaysiakini also handed over a list of names of individuals allegedly involved in the medical visa syndicate to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. - Mkini
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