BANGI: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating a Malaysian company run by a Bangladeshi, suspected of being an agent for the 'counter setting' syndicate which allegedly brought foreigners illegally into Malaysia.
The graft-busters are now scrutinising the company's accounts for any payments made to Immigration Department enforcement officers linked to the syndicate.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the company did not have an existing system in Malaysia to track the individuals they brought in through tourist visas.
He said MACC is currently finalising its investigations into 50 immigration officers involved in the smuggling of foreigners through the country's airports via the 'counter setting' method.
Counter setting refers to the act of bringing undocumented foreigners into the country via predetermined and designated lanes at entry points.
Azam said that in principle, they have wrapped up the probe into the immigration officers.
"So, just wait for the announcement as to whether there will be any charges or not.
"However, there is a company owned by a Bangladeshi individual operating here, which had brought in workers in a manner that did not comply with regulations.
"We are investigating this and are obtaining evidence from the company's accounts to determine whether any payments were made to the authorities," he said to reporters at the National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission Research Conference, here today.
Also in attendance was Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
On Sept 23, the MACC detained a Bangladeshi company director suspected of being an agent for the 'counter setting' syndicate.
The syndicate had allegedly bribed immigration enforcement officers to facilitate the entry of foreigners into the country through air entry points without undergoing proper checks.
The male suspect, believed to be in his 50s, had allegedly offered bribes ranging from RM200 to RM25,000 to enforcement officers in exchange for protection, facilitation, and immunity from enforcement action against foreigners who did not meet legal requirements or follow proper procedures.
MACC had previously said that the 'counter setting' syndicate had a vast network which included locals, foreigners, and also civil servants, among others.
Meanwhile, Azam did not disclose whether the company was tied to another investigation concerning four former members of parliament from Bangladesh's former Awami League government, who had allegedly embezzled Tk24,000 crore under the pretext of sending workers to Malaysia.
"I do not wish to comment on that for now, as this company appears to have no system in Malaysia. However, it acts as an intermediary in bringing workers here through various means.
"One such way is by bringing in workers as tourists, who then disappear upon entering the country. So, this is a difficult matter for us to prove, as tracing documents and determining how many workers have been brought in is challenging, given that there is no system in place.
"That is why the entry of foreign workers into our country, whether from source countries such as Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, or the largest, Bangladesh, must use a system that allows for tracking and monitoring of the workers entering.
"It is our responsibility to investigate this. Our task is to uncover matters involving scandals. So, give us time, as it has only been three or four days since we began the investigation into this company. We have already obtained information related to the company's accounts, and we are currently analysing it," he added.