https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/746856
A new syndicate involving civil servants travelling abroad without immigration records has been uncovered at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
This is in addition to the alleged “counter setting” scams, “fly” syndicates, and wildlife smuggling plaguing the airport.
A Malaysiakini investigation at KLIA over the past few weeks
Malaysiakini’s investigation also found that the syndicate’s modus operandi was so smooth that it was difficult to detect without close monitoring, with collusion extending to immigration officers on duty at the counters.
To leave the country, these civil servants bypass the “autogate” normally used by travellers and go through the immigration counter instead, with the help of the officer on duty.
This results in their passports not being scanned, stamped, or recorded as leaving the country. The immigration officer at the counter then helps them to get to the departure terminal.
After travelling to their desired country, they return to Malaysia in the same way. They return through the “friendly” immigration counter, without any entry stamp recorded in their passports.
In essence, according to immigration records, the civil servants never left the country.
“For example, a low-grade officer who earns RM3,000 (monthly) but suddenly travels to the Middle East or East Asia, could raise questions. If there is no passport stamp, there is no proof they have been there.
“Without travel records, there is no proof they’ve been abroad, allowing them to spend big without raising suspicion. They also avoid questions on how they could afford the travel,” he added.
- Commenting further, the source said corruption among civil servants at KLIA was “beyond redemption”.
- “Corruption and KLIA are inseparable. The staff there are ‘beyond repair’, you could say ‘toxic level’.
