Counter-setting probe: Foreigners willing to 'camp out' at KLIA for days

New Straits Times

27-05-2025

SEPANG: An investigation into counter-setting has revealed that foreigners looking to enter the country in this way spend days at the arrival hall of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) probe showed that they would loiter in groups or among other foreign travellers.
According to Sinar Harian, these foreigners are willing to remain there for extended periods of time after arrival while awaiting a call from syndicate agents to walk a "safe route" through Immigration checks — a practice otherwise known as counter-setting.
The arrival of these foreigners is arranged by certain agents using social visit passes but they fail to comply with the conditions of entry.
A MCBA surveillance operation found that some of these foreigners were seen remaining in the arrival hall for two days.
After arriving, the group would pretend to be tourists and linger in certain areas, particularly those with facilities such as seating, phone charging points, and toilets, in an attempt to deceive enforcement officers conducting daily surveillance.
When approached, some tried to flee or caused a scene by shouting and refusing to show their passports.
They were even found to have return tickets but had deliberately cancelled them.
A Pakistani man detained by MCBA showed his passport but failed to present a return flight ticket, and the details of his hotel booking was found to be suspicious.
KLIA MBCA commander Ibrahim Mohd Yusof said attempts to bring in foreigners without complying with legal entry requirements continuously occur.
"(The syndicates) use various methods and exploit loopholes, including colluding with officers who lack integrity.
"These foreigners have been found loitering beyond the allowable time period without reporting to the Immigration counters, particularly in the arrival hall.
"They also gather in specific locations to avoid inspection or wait for agents or intermediaries to arrange their illegal entry," he said.
Ibrahim added that there were attempts to enter the country under the guise of legitimate activities such as skill training, sporting events, or tourist packages under invitations or collaborations with third parties based in Malaysia.
From January to April this year, a total of 8,796 entry rejection notices were issued at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2.
"The countries with the highest number of rejections are Bangladesh (3,673 people), Pakistan (1,749), India (1,598), Indonesia (717) and Vietnam (197).
"Of those denied entry, 87.23 per cent were men and the other 12.81 were women," said Ibrahim.
He welcomed the government's initiative through the Home Ministry to expand the use of the automated gate system, including the use of the MyBorderPass application.(https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/03/1183532/malaysia-expand-qr-co...)
"This initiative greatly assists in addressing the issue of counter-setting at entry points, particularly at KLIA, and helps reduce congestion at manual checkpoints during entry and exit, especially during peak hours.
"MBCA remains committed to ensuring strict control at all KLIA entry points," he added.
Ibrahim said that measures already implemented or currently underway include strengthening surveillance teams, especially at high-risk areas such as the international airport arrival halls.
Regular monitoring of on-ground officers has also been enhanced to ensure all staff adhere to current directives, act professionally, and do not compromise on job integrity.
"MBCA also conducts real-time screening and surveillance via closed-circuit television (CCTV) on field officers and suspicious travellers, including those who fail to report promptly to the immigration counters after arrival.
"We greatly appreciate the vigilance of the KLIA community, who share information and lodge reports regarding the presence of suspicious foreigners in their areas," he said.
On May 18, MBCA received a report, and based on the information, successfully detained four Bangladeshis who had failed to report for immigration checks after arriving several days earlier.
"Cross-agency collaboration is also being strengthened to enable swift response to intelligence related to syndicates or any form of abuse of the country's entry channels," said Ibrahim.
He said these measures are proactive steps to safeguard national security and the integrity of the immigration system from being undermined by external elements seeking to break the law.