THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested two Immigration officers for allegedly taking bribes to approve visa applications from Bangladeshis, sources said.

MACC sources said investigations found that the two men had been colluding with employment agencies in Bangladesh and Malaysia since 2012.

“The activity has been going on since 2021 and they are believed to have been receiving between US$300 (RM1,360) and US$500 for each approved visa application,” a source told The Malaysian Insight.

“The total amount of bribes is estimated at more than RM100 million,” the source said, adding that the visa payment set by the government is only RM105 per application.

The two officers were detained to assist in the Op Taka investigation, which was launched in April by MACC’s Anti-Money Laundering Division in collaboration with the Malaysian Immigration Department.

“The suspects were arrested at about 6.30pm yesterday when they were asked to appear at the MACC Putrajaya headquarters,” the source said.

Following the arrest, magistrate M. Mageshwary allowed them to be remanded for four days, until July 31.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the arrest and said the case was investigated under section 17a of the MACC Act 2009. – July 28, 2023.