Latest news with #Zakeer
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- New Straits Times
'Zakeer' and 'Shaheed' syndicates operating beyond Klang Valley, says DG
KOTA BARU: The 'Zakeer' and 'Shaheed' syndicates, which offer unauthorised immigration services to foreign nationals in Malaysia, are believed to have agents operating in other states. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said both syndicates, led by foreign nationals, were found to be actively offering illegal services such as the renewal of the Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) and acting as unlicensed immigration agents. "These syndicates are operating without approval and are providing immigration services illegally," he told reporters when met at the Immigration Director-General's shooting trophy event here today. Zakaria said the department had been closely monitoring their activities through intelligence work and enforcement operations. "We've been tracking such syndicates all along, and these are not the only ones. "Based on intelligence and operations, we suspect they are also involved in the forgery of immigration documents. "We believe it's likely that they have agents in other states, not just in the Klang Valley," he said. He said the department would continue its efforts to dismantle these syndicates. "We take these threats seriously and will not compromise when it comes to the integrity of the immigration system. "We also believe there could be more syndicates involved, not just Zakeer and Shaheed. "We will continue to carry out operations whenever we receive credible information," he said. On July 10, the department busted the two groups and detained three Bangladeshi men, two Pakistanis, and a Myanmar man during operations in Jalan Pudu and Ampang Baru. Also seized were 138 foreign passports, 24 "Malaysia Pass" stickers believed to be fake, and three handphones. The Zakeer group charged between RM2,500 and RM6,000 for each application, and had been active for a year.
The Star
12-07-2025
- The Star
Two syndicates selling fake work permits busted by Immigration Dept
PETALING JAYA: A special operation by the Immigration Department saw the busting of two syndicates selling fake e-temporary work permits for foreign workers (PLKS). In a statement on Saturday (July 12), Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that the operations were conducted on July 10. He said that the first saw the busting of the "Zakeer" syndicate, where three Bangladeshi men were arrested in Jalan Pudu. "All three, aged between 40 and 50 years old, were found to have valid PLKS permits in the construction industry. "The operation team also seized 130 Bangladeshi passports and three Indonesian ones, alongside three handphones. The syndicate targeted foreigners based in the Klang Valley who needed to update their permits," he said. Investigations showed that the group charged between RM2,500 and RM6,000 for each application, and that they had been active for a year. He said the second group, dubbed the "Shaheed" syndicate, was busted on the same day in Ampang Baru. Two Pakistani and a Myanmar man were arrested, aged between 33 and 43 years old. "Investigations showed that one of the Pakistani suspects had a valid PLKS under the sanitation sector, whereas the other had overstayed. The Myanmar suspect was found to be with a UNHCR card," he said. Among the items seized were five foreign passports and 24 "Malaysia Pass" stickers that were believed to be fake. "They charged between RM80 and RM500 for their service," he said. All arrested suspects have been brought to the Putrajaya Immigration Department headquarters for further investigation. A Bangladeshi man has also been issued a notice to present himself to assist in the investigation into the Zakeer gang as well.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Immigration Dept busts 2 syndicates over illegal foreigner pass renewals
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has dismantled two syndicates suspected of illegally managing Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) renewals for foreigners. Its director-general, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, said the department mounted two operations in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, resulting in the arrest of six people. In the first operation at a premise in Jalan Pudu at 12.05pm, three Bangladeshi men, aged between 40 and 50 years old, were arrested following two weeks of surveillance and public tip-offs. "One of them is believed to be the main mastermind of the syndicate known as 'Zakeer', while the other two acted as middlemen," Zakaria said in a statement. He said all three suspects held valid PLKS in the construction sector. However, investigations revealed they had been targeting foreigners in the Klang Valley looking to renew their permits, charging between RM2,500 and RM6,000 per application. "The team also seized 130 Bangladeshi passports, three Indonesian passports and three mobile phones from the premises. "The syndicate is believed to have been operating for about a year," he said. All three suspects were taken to the department's headquarters in Putrajaya for further investigation, while another Bangladeshi man was issued a notice to assist in the probe. Later that evening, at 7.09pm, another special operation was carried out in Ampang Baru, leading to the arrest of two Pakistanis and a Myanmar national, believed to be involved in a different syndicate known as 'Shaheed'. "These suspects, aged between 33 and 43, were also acting as middlemen, offering permit-related services to foreigners in the Klang Valley. "They charged between RM80 and RM500 for each transaction," Zakaria said. Initial checks found that one Pakistani suspect held a valid PLKS under the cleaning sector, while the other had overstayed in the country. The Myanmar national possessed a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees card. The enforcement team also seized one Pakistani, one Vietnamese, one Myanmar, one Bangladeshi and one Sri Lankan passport, along with 24 fake 'Malaysia Pass' (Malpass) stickers and five mobile phones. Zakaria said all suspects were taken to the Immigration Department headquarters for further action.
