Latest news with #MalaysianImmigrationCircularNo.10
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
EAIC urges criminal charges against immigration officers for medical visa fraud
PUTRAJAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has called for criminal proceedings against Immigration Department officers involved in the unlawful issuance of medical visas to foreign nationals. The findings stem from a probe led by EAIC Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik, which uncovered systemic abuse in granting social visit passes under the medical category. The investigation scrutinised approval protocols, collected witness testimonies, and seized documents before concluding that officers bypassed legal requirements. 'The probe revealed power abuse where incomplete applications were approved despite violating the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,' stated the EAIC. The case has been escalated to the Attorney-General's Chambers under Paragraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700. Charges may be filed under the Penal Code, Immigration Act 1959/63, and Passports Act 1966. - Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Commission confirms abuse in medical visa scandal
PETALING JAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has confirmed a case of power abuse in the Immigration Department linked to the 'counter setting' scandal involving corrupt practices and visa irregularities for medical tourists. In a statement, the EAIC said its special task force – established under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700) and chaired by Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik – had completed its investigation into the scandal. 'It was found that there had been abuse of power by Immigration officers who approved medical visas for foreign nationals from several countries, despite knowing the application documents were incomplete and failed to meet the requirements set out in the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,' the statement said. The commission has decided to refer the investigation findings to the Attorney General's Chambers. 'This is in line with Paragraph 30(1)(c) of Act 700, with a recommendation that criminal charges be brought against the Immigration officers involved – under provisions of Act 574 of the Penal Code, Act 155 of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and/or Act 150 of the Passport Act 1966.' The 'counter setting' operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been under scrutiny since late last year, focusing on claims that foreign nationals were granted medical treatment visas without complying with standard procedures. theSun had earlier reported concerns from healthcare industry experts about loopholes in the medical tourist visa process, alleging that some visa holders never sought treatment at the approved medical centres. In October last year, investigators seized 156 social visit pass application files (under the Medical Treatment Pass category), linked to a syndicate involving officers from the Immigration Department's Visa, Pass and Permit Division in Putrajaya.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Court action urged against Immigration officers in visa syndicate
PETALING JAYA: Immigration officers found to be involved in the illegal distribution of long-term visas for medical purposes ought to be charged in court, says the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC). EAIC commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik said an investigation was launched against members of the Immigration Department after it was alleged that the visas were issued to foreigners without going through the proper process. Razali, who led the investigation, said that a special task force had identified elements of misuse of powers. 'The taskforce identified several misuse of powers by the immigration officers who approved the medical visa for foreigners without realising that the documents given were not completed and had not met the criteria under the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001,' he said in a statement issued yesterday. The EAIC added that it has referred the investigations to the Attorney-General's Chambers with recommendations to charge the suspects, including under the Immigration Act and Passport Act. In February, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that around 22 Immigration officers were summoned by the EAIC to assist investigations into a medical visa syndicate. In October last year, the EAIC seized 156 social visa passes issued under the medical treatment category, which were believed to be linked to a syndicate involving immigration officers.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
EAIC detects irregularities in issuance of medical visas
PETALING JAYA: Medical visas have been issued to foreigners without going through the proper procedures, says the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC). In a statement on Sunday (July 27), the EAIC said a special task force led by its commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik had looked into the issuance of visas by Immigration Department officers. "The task force identified several misuse of powers by officers involved who approved medical visas for foreigners although the documents submitted were not completed and had not met the criteria under the Malaysian Immigration Circular No. 10/2001," it said. The EAIC added it had referred the investigation to the Attorney General, with recommendations to charge those responsible under the Penal Code, Immigration Act 1959/63 and Passports Act 1966.
