KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will channel the latest intelligence from Op Rentas to the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) to ensure integrity issues, including misconduct by government officers, are addressed effectively.
Key information to be shared includes the modus operandi, profiling of implicated MCBA officers, risks of regulatory breaches, and governance relating to the entry of foreign nationals.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the data sharing was necessary, as cases involving rogue government officers persisted despite ongoing efforts by the commission and other agencies such as the Immigration Department and MCBA.
“In every operation we conduct, we continue to detect weaknesses that should not occur, yet still happen to the extent that they can be exploited by human smuggling syndicates.
“Op Rentas, which exposed the latest ‘counter setting’ offences involving numerous officers, marks the second such case this year.
“It seems no lessons have been learned, as those involved still dare to collude with syndicates constantly seeking opportunities to breach the sovereignty of our country.
“From this operation, we identified weaknesses that should not have happened, and we will share these with MCBA so that the agency can take immediate follow-up action,” he told Berita Harian.
Ahmad Khusairi said collaboration between MACC and MCBA, established earlier, would further strengthen efforts under Op Rentas.
“MCBA has already contacted MACC for further action and welcomed the findings from this operation.
“They also have their own team to conduct internal investigations following MACC’s findings.
“We hope MCBA will focus on the identified weaknesses, particularly those involving systems and the integrity of high-risk officers,” he said.
He added that MACC was ready to continue supporting MCBA with training, expertise, and advisory services in future.
“The improvement measures taken by MCBA since its establishment have been commendable, but there is still room for further enhancement,” he said.
On Sept 11, another enforcement officer was arrested by MACC for suspected involvement in a ‘counter setting’ syndicate that allowed foreign nationals to enter Malaysia without following proper procedures.
The arrest of the woman, in her 40s, brought the total number of individuals detained to 31, including 19 enforcement officers stationed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2, under Op Rentas since Tuesday.
So far, 28 of the 31 individuals detained have been remanded for four to seven days, starting Wednesday, including the latest suspect.
Of the 31 suspects, 19 are enforcement officers, while the rest comprise five company owners, one company manager and three civilians.
Following the operation, MACC also seized various assets, including cars and motorcycles, jewellery, gold bars, telecommunication devices, handbags and watches, with their total value yet to be determined.
Additionally, more than RM200,000 in cash was confiscated, while 57 bank accounts – comprising 48 individual accounts and nine company accounts – with a combined value exceeding RM2.7 million were frozen.
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