JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 24 — The Johor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 12 individuals, including seven enforcement officers serving at various entry checkpoints in the state and Melaka, on suspicion of corruption involving a counter-setting syndicate.
The border control enforcement officers have been identified as being attached to the entry checkpoints at the Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal, Muar Ferry Terminal and Melaka Ferry Terminal.
The syndicate is believed to be responsible for facilitating the illegal entry of Indonesian nationals into the country.
Magistrate Suhaili Sapun granted a six-day remand order for two suspects until September 29, while another 10 suspects were remanded for five-days until September 28 after an application was made by the Johor MACC at the Sessions Court here this morning.
The suspects, involving 10 men and two women, aged between 20 and 50, were arrested in Johor and Penang yesterday.
Based on initial investigations, the arrested enforcement officers are believed to have received bribes of more than RM490,000 from agents and runners, who were also arrested in the anti-graft operation.
The suspects are believed to be involved in a syndicate bringing in foreigners through the “counter setting” method at maritime entrances from 2024 to early 2025.
The term “counter setting” refers to a form of corruption involving Malaysian border control officers facilitating illegal entry of foreign nationals through bribery, bypassing standard procedures and enabling human trafficking and illegal migration.
Following the arrests, MACC investigators also seized and confiscated various items such as cash of RM50,000, Indonesian currency of IDR71,000,000 (RM17,910), a Toyota Vellfire luxury multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) worth RM115,000 and an Italjet Dragster motorcycle worth approximately RM30,000.
The anti-graft commission also made an application to freeze 25 banking accounts belonging to 13 individuals involving a value of RM1.2 million.
Yesterday, Johor MACC in collaboration with the commission’s intelligence division carried out operations in Johor and Penang through the nationwide Op Setting operation.
Johor MACC director Hairuzam Mohmad Amin@Hamim, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) and Section 16(a)(B) of the MACC Act 2009.
He said that two other suspects have since been released on MACC bail.
