07/08/2025

THURSDAY | AUG 7, 2025 5 Alleged robbery gang leader shot dead KUALA LUMPUR: Police shot and killed a man believed to be the mastermind of a robbery and housebreaking gang, in an incident in Jalan Bukit Tunku here yesterday. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department acting director Datuk Fadil Marsus said the 36-year-old, with 44 criminal records including drug cases, is believed to be responsible for several housebreaking and robbery cases reported in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak since last year, involving losses of more than RM1 million. He said a team from the department and the Kuala Lumpur contingent department, who were conducting crime prevention duties under Op Api KL 3/2025 in the Bukit Tunku area, spotted the suspect in a car at 4.10am yesterday. “During an attempt to intercept the car, a shootout occurred, resulting in the suspect being killed at the scene. Several gunshots also struck the police vehicle,” he said. He added that a search of the suspect’s car uncovered a revolver, various burglary tools and a police vest. Fadil said checks on the car found that it was using a fake registration number and is believed to have been smuggled in from abroad. He said investigations showed that the gang targeted homes and business premises with safes, gold bars and cash, and are believed to have posed as police officers. “We believe the gang is also linked to a drug trafficking syndicate and may have dozens of members. Efforts to track down the remaining individuals are ongoing.” – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: A foreign man suspected of molesting a teenage girl in Bukit Sentosa, Rawang recently has been arrested by police. Hulu Selangor district police chief Supt Ibrahim Husin said the man was arrested on Tuesday after police received a report from the victim at 3pm on Sunday. “The suspect, 21, was arrested by the Hulu Selangor district police headquarters criminal investigation division thanks to a public tip-off,” he said, adding that the suspect did not have prior records and tested negative for drugs. The suspect has been remanded for three days for further investigation under Section 15(a)(1) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, he added. – Bernama Woman loses savings to investment scam KUANTAN: A woman trader has lost RM335,400 after falling victim to a non-existent online investment scheme. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 53-year-old was drawn to the investment after seeing an advertisement on Facebook on April 30 and subsequently contacted an individual who introduced herself as Serena via WhatsApp. “The victim was added to a WhatsApp group and instructed to download an investment app.” He said the victim made 22 transactions to seven bank accounts between June 2 and July 23, allegedly for investment purposes. Yahaya said based on the information displayed on the app, the victim believed she had made investment profits totalling RM4.8 million but was later asked to pay a 12% commission, or RM221,670, in order to make a withdrawal. “The victim, who had used her savings for the investment, realised that she had been duped when pressured to make additional payments.” He reminded the public to be cautious of online investment schemes that promise high returns within a short period, particularly those promoted on social media. – Bernama Foreigner nabbed for molesting teen

Push for urgent reforms to tighten border security

PETALING JAYA: The recent arrest of an immigration officer suspected of aiding a counter setting syndicate, along with the dismissal of 26 enforcement officers last year for corruption at the country’s entry points, has prompted experts to call for stricter disciplinary action and urgent reforms to plug security loopholes. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the cases underscore a critical vulnerability in Malaysia’s border security, namely internal corruption, as the collusion between enforcement personnel and criminal syndicates poses a direct threat to national security. “Undocumented migrants could easily exploit these weaknesses, undermining the integrity of the entire immigration system. This not only facilitates illegal activities, but also erodes public trust.” He said recurring corruption cases underscore the urgent need for structural reforms and tighter oversight at the country’s entry points while independent oversight bodies should conduct impartial investigations and provide innovative recommendations for system improvements. “Current integrity screening and monitoring systems are inadequate. While CCTV is helpful, it is insufficient. Strengthened measures are needed,” he said. He also emphasised the importance of introducing advanced technologies such as data analytics, biometrics and enhanced surveillance to detect threats, adding that regular audits are vital to uncover and fix vulnerabilities. “This is not the first time such misconduct has happened and it risks damaging the reputation of the Immigration Department. “Those implicated must face stern action, the loopholes must be plugged and the syndicate should be thoroughly investigated so that all responsible parties are brought to justice.” Universiti Malaya criminologist and senior lecturer Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said corruption remains one of the main enablers of human illegal migration, trafficking and smuggling, particularly when Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Recurring corruption cases highlight need for stricter oversight at country’s entry points: Alliance chairman

Haezreena said the broader issue is national security as the bigger risk lies in allowing individuals to enter the country without proper documentation. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

“When these requirements, we have no way of knowing their intentions. Some may be victims of crimes such as trafficking, and many do not even realise that they are being exploited, believing their traffickers are legitimate agents. This makes them vulnerable and others may take advantage of them. “In doing so, we compromise our state sovereignty and expose the country to security risks. Borders are the first line of defence and the most crucial security point in any country,” she said. She clarified that while many migrants enter through legal channels, such as airports, and typically hold passports, problems arise when syndicates manipulate the screening process or when migrants enter via backdoor routes, such as through unmanned border areas in the north. “Our border systems are generally strong but corruption, bribery and abuse of power are hard to detect unless there is targeted monitoring,” she said. Haezreena emphasised that while corruption does exist among a few officers, most enforcement personnel do their jobs properly. “What is clear is that syndicates and recruiters often work with insiders, and those involved must be held accountable.” individuals bypass

enforcement officers are involved. “Corruption has always been listed as a pull factor in illegal migration, human trafficking and smuggling as officers are often lured by the extra money they could earn. “For example, if someone is paid RM100 for each undocumented person they let through and they facilitate 20 people, that is a significant amount. For some officers without other income, this becomes an illegal ‘side business,’” she said, adding that while this does not apply to all officers, those involved should not be ignored. Haezreena said counter setting is usually run by organised crime groups involving multiple “actors”, including immigration officers that might be stationed at counters and given partial passport details (such as the last four digits) to recognise individuals being let in, including smuggled migrants. “Sometimes they stamp the passport but skip the second level of screening. Other times, they do not even bother verifying the documents thoroughly. These syndicates are often transnational crime groups or big gangs,” she said. She added that the broader issue is national security as the bigger risk lies in allowing individuals to enter the country without proper documentation, which goes against our laws.

Agents managing illegal entry of Thais detected PASIR MAS: The Kelantan Immigration Department has detected the existence of a handful of agents believed to be using fake stamps to manage the entry of Thai workers into the country. stamp on the passport of a male driver in his 20s was suspicious because there was no exit stamp from Thai immigration. He was detained while another two did not have valid travel documents,” he said. being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and would undergo a documentation process to identify the offences and modus operandi they used to cross the border.

“Investigations revealed that some of the Thai nationals who were checked had passports, but chose to take the risk of crossing Sungai Golok without reasonable excuse.” He said each Thai national is believed to have paid about RM80 to an agent to be sent to the Klang Valley, Bernama reported. “Most work in tomyam restaurants and the construction sector. For those with valid documents, we allowed them to continue their journey after the inspection,” he said.

He said the stamp on the passport owned by one of the drivers is suspected to be fake and irregular, and the case is being investigated under Section 56(1)(i) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. He added that two other Thai nationals were arrested for entering the country via an illegal route by crossing Sungai Golok before boarding a rented vehicle heading to the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur. Mohamed Yusoff Khan also said they are

Its director Mohamed Yusoff Khan Mohd Hassan said the anomaly was detected after his department detained six road tour vehicles that entered the country through the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex. He said during the operation carried out on Tuesday, officers checked 42 Thai nationals, comprising 21 men and 21 women, aged between 20 and 30. “From the inspection, we found that the