Latest news with #LabourRecalibrationProgramme
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Immigration Dept officers nab 121 undocumented migrants in Kajang, Sungai Tangkas
KAJANG: Immigration officers detained 121 undocumented migrants for various offences following a large-scale raid here and in Sungai Tangkas today. Immigration Department enforcement director Basri Othman said the joint operation, carried out in the areas surrounding Hentian Metro Kajang and Sungai Tangkas, was based on public complaints alleging that foreign workers were operating businesses or working in local shops. Those detained comprised 92 men and 29 women from Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria and Sudan. "Eighty-two officers were mobilised for the operation. A total of 719 individuals were checked, comprising 534 foreigners and 185 Malaysians. "Although arrests were made, several individuals fled. Follow-up action may be taken," he told reporters after the raids. Initial investigations by the department at Hentian Metro Kajang found that some detainees were still using expired Labour Recalibration Programme slips. "We advise foreigners and employers not to be deceived by agents claiming that the programme is still in effect. "The Immigration Department is currently only implementing the Migrant Repatriation Programme, which allows those who have overstayed to return to their hom e countries," Basri said. Some of the foreigners found working at a Kajang food court were employed as cooks and cashiers. "Most claimed to be employees at the premises. However, we will investigate further to determine whether they are actually workers or the business owners," said Basri. He also reminded employers that photocopies of identification documents are not sufficient during inspections, rejecting excuses such as safeguarding the documents. "A passport is the property of the individual. We advise employers that if workers are unable to carry their passports, they should at least carry the i-Kad, which has been introduced for this purpose," said Basri. On May 17, Immigration Department deputy director-general (operations) Jafri Embok Taha said the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 had been extended to April 30 next year. The repatriation programme offers foreigners
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Immigration warns of scammers offering 'backdoor' services on social media
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has raised the alarm over a number of social media accounts openly offering fake immigration services to foreigners, including undocumented migrants. Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the services included promises to facilitate entry and exit from Malaysia, remove a blacklist status from the department's system, and process applications in the now-defunct Labour Recalibration Programme. He said investigations revealed that operators of these accounts were charging fees for their services, which he confirmed were scams aimed at deceiving victims by falsely associating themselves with the department. "The Immigration Department has never appointed any individual or agent to manage immigration matters on its behalf. "All immigration services must be conducted at official Immigration offices," he said in a statement today. He added that the department was stepping up its monitoring and enforcement efforts. "The public is advised not to fall for any offers or advertisements circulating on social media that promise 'backdoor' immigration arrangements." "Legal action would be taken against those found guilty of running these scams," he said.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- The Sun
MACC arrests five including officers in illegal foreign worker registration scam
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained five individuals, including three enforcement officers, for their suspected involvement in illegal foreign worker registration under the Immigration Department's Labour Recalibration Programme (RTK). The arrests were made in Putrajaya and Kelantan between 11 am and 2.30 pm on Monday (June 23). A source revealed that the three officers, comprising two men and a woman, allegedly accepted bribes ranging from RM50,000 to RM60,000 to process foreign worker applications. The other two suspects include a company manager and a foreign national. All are believed to have committed the offences between 2020 and 2021. The operation, codenamed Op Putih, was conducted by the MACC Intelligence Division in Kelantan to dismantle syndicate activities involving immigration officers and foreign agents. The crackdown aims to curb corruption among civil servants and disrupt networks facilitating illegal worker registrations. Magistrate Amin Rashidi Ramli granted a seven-day remand order for all suspects following an application by MACC at the Kota Bahru Magistrate's Court. Senior director of MACC's Intelligence Division, Datuk Idris Zaharudin, confirmed the arrests, stating the case is being probed under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
New Straits Times
25-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Immigration DG: No compromise on misconduct in bribery case
KOTA BARU: The Immigration Department has confirmed that four of its officers were detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday for allegedly conspiring to register foreign workers under the department's Labour Recalibration Programme. Its director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said three of the officers have been remanded, while another was released on MACC bail. "I can confirm that three of our officers were remanded by the MACC at the Kota Baru court yesterday, while another was released on bail," he said. Zakaria said the department would give its full cooperation to the commission in its investigation. "The Immigration Department leaves it entirely to the MACC to carry out its probe. "We will extend our full cooperation to the commission," he said. He also reaffirmed the department's commitment to working closely with enforcement agencies to address integrity issues involving its personnel, agents, and employers. "We will not compromise on any misconduct committed by our officers," he added. It was reported yesterday that the MACC has remanded five people for allegedly conspiring to register foreign workers under the programme. The suspects include three enforcement officers, a company manager and a foreigner. The seven-day remand which started yesterday until June 30, was issued by Magistrate Amin Rashidi Ramli after the graft-busters filed an application at the Kota Baru Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. According to a source, the three men and two women, in their 20s and 40s, were detained between 11am and 2.30pm on Monday during an operation in Putrajaya and Kelantan. They are believed to have committed the offence between 2020 and 2021. Preliminary investigations revealed that the three enforcement officers were suspected of receiving bribes amounting to between RM50,000 and RM60,000 to process foreign worker registration applications.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- Barnama
Enforcement Officers Among Five Held Over illegal Foreign Worker Registration
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested five individuals, including three enforcement officers, for allegedly abetting in the illegal registration of foreign workers under the Immigration Department's Labour Recalibration Programme (RTK). According to a source, the other two individuals comprise a company manager and a foreign national. All five, aged between 20s and 40s, were picked up between 11 am and 2.30 pm yesterday in Putrajaya and Kelantan. 'Initial investigations revealed that the three enforcement officers -- two men and a woman -- are suspected of accepting bribes ranging between RM50,000 and RM60,000 for processing foreign worker registration applications.
