An anonymous police source revealed that rogue immigration officers earned RM18 million by tampering with travel data. — AFP pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 ― Some 37 immigration officers earned a cool RM18 million in just two years by tampering with travel data to ease the passage of foreigners into and out of the country, Mingguan Malaysia reported today.

The Sunday edition of Malay daily Utusan Malaysia cited an anonymous police source revealing that the immigration officers under investigation received between RM200 and RM2,500 as commission for each job.

“These officers are also believed to have changed the data in the immigration system to enable those who are blacklisted from entering the country to enter the country,” the unnamed source was quoted saying.

According to the report, the 37 immigration officers were arrested between February and October 12. The report said 37 other suspects who were also arrested in similar police operations were agents and syndicate members who worked closely with the immigration officers.

In that period of two years, the news report said a total of 16,000 foreigners, mostly from Bangladesh, India, Vietnam and China, had entered the country.

According to the news report, the choice of airports were namely the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, Sibu and Bintulu airports in Sarawak.

The police source reportedly said that four of the immigration personnel were still under arrest for initial investigation, while four others have been charged under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007.

“Six others are detained under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) 1959, 11 others have received the restraining order under Poca while 12 suspects, including the wife of an actor have been released on guarantee bonds while awaiting the decision by the Criminal Prevention Board,” the source was quoted as saying.

Immigration officers have come under a cloud following the shocking discovery earlier this year that the passport control systems have been sabotaged, jeopardising the country’s security amid concerns that several citizens who left to join in the terrorists in Syria may be returning home to set up local cells in their quest to found a global Islamic State.

The authorities have not drawn any link between the immigration scandal and terrorist involvement.

Putrajaya sacked some 15 immigration officers in June while dozens of others were suspended or transferred to other departments.