KUALA LUMPUR: Op Rentas is a large-scale operation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission focusing on counter-setting syndicates that facilitate the entry of foreigners into Malaysia without proper immigration procedures, in return for bribes.
Counter-setting refers to the act of allowing foreigners to enter the country without proper inspection by directing them through designated or predetermined lanes at Immigration entry points.
MACC conducted a major crackdown between Sept 9 and 11 which led to the arrest of 30 people including 18 enforcement officers across Selangor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan.
These enforcement officers were Immigration Department personnel attached to the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA).
Others detained were company owners, managers, and civilians who are allegedly part of the syndicate.
Among those arrested included enforcement officers holding ranks of between KP1 and KP9, from the Immigration Department.
Shortly after the crackdown MCBA director-general Datuk Seri Shuhaily Mohd Zain confirmed that 18 of the agency’s personnel were arrested in connection with counter setting allegations.
He said the personnel were attached to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, though the specific breakdown had yet to be provided.
Following the arrests, MACC decided that it would channel the latest intelligence from Op Rentas to the MCBA to ensure integrity issues, including misconduct by government officers, are addressed effectively.
Key information to be shared include 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 had 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.
It was also reported that counter-setting syndicates are believed to offer enforcement officers bribes averaging up to RM50,000 in exchange for allowing foreigners to enter Malaysia illegally.
Enforcement officers involved received bribes ranging from RM1,800 to RM2,500 for each foreign national successfully allowed into the country.
The bribes were paid either in cash or via mule accounts.
On average, the officers involved would receive between RM10,000 and RM50,000 a month, depending on the number of foreigners processed.
Agents would provide the officers with details such as passport numbers and flight tickets, and indicate which counter the individuals should pass through
Of those arrested, six people, including five immigration officers, had some 3.2kg of gold and jewellery worth RM2 million in their possession.
Five of the asset owners were Immigration Department officers. They were stationed at the airport manning immigration counters.
The seized jewellery alone was worth RM1.6 million, while the 75 pieces of gold were valued at RM400,000.
Other seized assets included a plot of land, a house, and several luxury vehicles, including a BMW X3 sports utility vehicle and a BMW 5 Series car.
MACC also seized various luxury handbags, 20 branded watches valued at about RM100,000, and cash amounting to RM20,000.
To date, MACC has also frozen 70 bank accounts, bringing the total value of seizures to around RM3.3 million.
The investigation is being conducted under Section 17A of the MACC Act which relates to corporate liability for bribery.
It carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine not less than 10 times the value of the bribe or RM1 million, whichever is higher.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki revealed that the seized jewellery included gold chains, bracelets, earrings, rings, and gold bars.
The funds used to buy the gold, jewellery, and other seized assets reportedly came from bribes from the counter-setting syndicate.
Most of the funds amassed from their illicit operations were used to buy gold bars and jewellery.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
