07/06/2025

SATURDAY | JUNE 7, 2025

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Commission completes probe into KLIA visa misconduct

Surveyor killed in 27m fall at construction site BUKIT MERTAJAM: A surveyor was killed after reportedly falling from the eighth floor of a building – an estimated height of 27m – through an opening in a “pressurisation shaft” at a construction site. Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) director Hairozie Asri said the department was informed of the fatal accident at 10.30am on Thursday and a team of investigation officers was immediately dispatched to the scene. “The deceased, a 41-year-old local man employed as a verticality surveyor by a subcontractor at the site, was confirmed dead after falling from the eighth floor through an opening in the pressurisation shaft area. The incident occurred while he was conducting surveying work at the building’s lobby lift area,” he said in a statement yesterday. Preliminary investigations revealed that the opening was covered only with plywood and fenced off, but the protective measures were believed to be inadequate to support weight or ensure worker safety. Following the investigation, DOSH issued three Prohibition Notices to the main contractor, halting related works until all safety compliance measures are fulfilled. Hairozie said the main contractor has also been instructed to conduct an internal investigation to determine the cause of the incident, propose improvements and present the findings to the state DOSH. The department will gather relevant documents and record statements from all identified witnesses. – Bernama Lorry firm probed over fatal FRU crash KOTA BHARU: The Road Transport Department (RTD) has opened an investigation paper against the lorry company involved in last month’s fatal accident that killed nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel in Perak. RTD senior director (enforcement) Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the case is being investigated under Section 57 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010. “The lorry involved has been seized, and the investigating officer has been instructed to complete the paper by the end of this month. It will then be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action,” he said during an inspection of Ops Hari Raya Aidiladha on Thursday night. Preliminary findings revealed that the lorry company had violated permit conditions by carrying an unauthorised load of stones, instead of coal as approved. “We are still investigating, and appropriate action will be taken,” he added. On May 12, a lorry driven by a man collided with a truck carrying 18 FRU personnel on Jalan Chikus–Sungai Lampan while they were returning to Ipoh. Nine officers were killed and nine others were injured in the crash. – Bernama

example, someone claims they’re visiting a hospital, submits the required documents, but never shows up. They may not even pursue any medical treatment at all once in the country,” said a medical expert involved in the health tourism sector on condition of anonymity. A source from the Immigration Department acknowledged the issue, adding that the matter remained under investigation. “We have not received any findings yet as the EAIC has not disclosed the outcome of their investigation. “However, this issue has indeed occurred.” In response to the allegations, the EAIC formed a special task force under Section 17(1) of the EAIC Act 2009 to investigate misconduct. Led by commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Razali Ab Malik, the task force examined the improper issuance of social visit passes under the medical

treatment category. In October 2024, investigators seized 156 visa application files from the Immigration Department’s Visa, Pass and Permit Division in Putrajaya. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) exposed a “counter setting” syndicate at KLIA, in which immigration officers were accused of facilitating the entry of foreign nationals through designated counters in exchange for bribes. The MACC attributed the misconduct to systemic weaknesses within the department, including inadequate officer rotation and lack of internal oversight. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban has since reaffirmed the department’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, pledging firm disciplinary action against any staff involved, regardless of rank. In January, it was reported that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had raised concerns over the misuse of medical tourism visas. He highlighted the emergence of fake clinics and counterfeit medical certificates, particularly in states such as Penang, Malacca and Johor, which are popular among medical tourists. Saifuddin revealed that the Immigration Department had detected cases where visas were obtained using falsified documents and through unlicensed clinics. He stressed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing scrutiny of visa applications to curb abuse. Subsequent investigations led to a joint operation by the Immigration Department and Health Ministry, resulting in the arrest of 10 Bangladeshi nationals during raids on clinics run by foreign doctors at nine locations across Kuala Lumpur. As of Feb 22, immigration officers have been questioned in connection with the investigation. Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry is taking the matter seriously, and upholding a zero-tolerance policy towards breaches of integrity by its officers. KUALA LUMPUR: A four-year-old boy was killed after he is believed to have fallen from the balcony of his 30th-floor apartment unit in Bukit Jalil. Cheras police chief ACP Aidil Bolhassan said an emergency call was received at 11.17am on Thursday from a man reporting the incident. “The boy’s body has been sent to the forensics unit of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz and an auptosy is scheduled,” he said in a statement. The case has been classified as sudden death and further investigation is ongoing. A 37-second video of the aftermath was widely shared on social media, showing a man – believed to be a family member – in tears beside the child’s body, which was covered with a cloth. – Bernama Boy dies after falling from apartment

o Findings to address alleged corruption and abuse of medical tourism visa system by immigration officers

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

declined to provide further details. “The report has been finalised and a statement will be issued to the media,” the commission’s representative told theSun. Launched in October 2024, the investigation focused on claims that foreign nationals were granted medical treatment visas without following standard procedures. The daily had previously reported concerns from healthcare industry experts regarding loopholes in the issuance of medical tourism visas, with some recipients allegedly having never sought treatment at the designated medical facilities. “Yes, it does happen. For

PETALING JAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) is set to release the findings of its months-long investigation into the Immigration Department, focusing on allegations of corruption and procedural abuse linked to the issuance of medical tourism visas. The probe, centred on the “counter setting” operation at KL International Airport (KLIA), has been ongoing since late last year. A representative from the EAIC confirmed the investigation team has completed its report, though

Zakaria reaffirmed the department’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, pledging firm disciplinary action against any staff involved, regardless of rank. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Alstonia Gang busted in multi-state raids

SHAH have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate known as the Alstonia Gang with the arrest of nine individuals, including a foreign woman, and the seizure of various drugs worth RM5.11 million. The arrests and seizures were made during five separate raids carried out in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on Tuesday. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said those arrested included the syndicate leader – a local e-hailing driver – and his foreign partner, who are believed to have been actively involved in drug trafficking over the past eight months. In the first raid at about 5.50pm in Bukit Jalil, police arrested a man and a foreign woman and seized 4,656g of MDMA powder and 3,000ml of drug-laced juices. A second raid on a house in Semenyih led to the arrest of ALAM: Police

another man and the seizure of 230g of powdery substances believed to be MDMA. This was followed by a third raid at 6.10pm in Puchong, where a male suspect was detained and 966.1g of ecstasy was confiscated. At 10.30pm, the fourth raid in Kajang resulted in the arrest of another man and the seizure of 110 vape cartridges allegedly containing 2,880g of drugs. Following the suspect’s cooperation, police were led to a second house in Kajang, where they seized 21,452g of MDMA powder, 4,722g of ketamine, 641g of ecstasy pills and 1,960g of Erimin 5 pills. Further investigation led to the arrest of three men and a woman across Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, all believed to be linked to the syndicate. “In addition to the gang leader and his partner, who has been residing in Malaysia for the past 10

years, the other suspects – aged between 24 and 38 – include food traders, personal shoppers and barbers. “Six of them tested positive for drugs, three tested negative, and three have prior criminal and drug related records,” Hussein told a press conference yesterday. He said the syndicate primarily targeted entertainment venues in the Klang Valley and sold drugs both face-to-face and through online platforms. Police also seized five vehicles along with jewellery, luxury watches, luxury handbags and cash in various currencies, with the total value of assets seized amounting to RM341,449.16. “This success follows two months of intelligence work. All suspects have been remanded for seven days, and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.” – Bernama