Immigration DG says work permit issued to detainee in viral video suspected to be fake

KUALA LUMPUR: A work permit shown in a viral video, allegedly issued to a detainee at an immigration depot, is suspected to be fake, said Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.

Checks revealed that the QR code on the permit had been tampered with, and cross-verification via the MyIMMs system using the passport number showed no record of a Temporary Work Visit Pass.

“Investigations are underway to identify the source of the data misuse and ensure legal action is taken,” Zakaria said in a statement today.

The claim surfaced in a video showing a couple meeting the video’s account holder to discuss allegations that a work permit had been issued to the woman’s brother while in detention.

In the video, a couple claimed they paid RM5,000 to a man titled “Datuk” to procure a Temporary Work Visit Pass in exchange for the detainee’s release.

Despite the QR code appearing valid in the system, the detainee was not released in court and remains in custody.

Zakaria also denied claims circulating on social media that a “Datuk” could arrange a temporary work visit pass or ePass documents to free a detainee, stressing that all immigration transactions must go through official counters or the department’s online portal.

He urged anyone with information or who has fallen victim to such scams to lodge a police report and contact the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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