The Immigration Department had identified officers allegedly involved in hacking its MyIMM system on the first day of the incident but delayed enforcement action to uncover the full syndicate network.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the department, together with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), decided to continue monitoring the case to gather sufficient evidence and identify all individuals involved, including the alleged masterminds.
He said immediate arrests could have disrupted the investigation and prevented authorities from exposing the wider group behind the alleged wrongdoing.
“We knew who was involved, but we took a different approach by allowing the investigation to continue until we had enough evidence on the culprits and masterminds,” he said during the department’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya.
Zakaria stressed that the department would not protect any personnel found involved in corruption, abuse of power or other forms of misconduct, adding that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
He also revealed that Immigration had continued receiving information regarding officers allegedly linked to activities involving ‘flying passports’, counter-setting and irregular approvals of temporary employment visit passes (PLKS).
He warned that there would be no further reminders or warnings for officers involved in misconduct, saying immediate action would be taken once sufficient evidence was obtained.
Zakaria said the department remains committed to strengthening integrity within its organisation and ensuring all officers carry out their responsibilities professionally.
He added that every immigration-related transaction is being closely monitored as part of efforts to prevent abuse of authority and maintain public confidence in the department.
“What I hope is that these incidents will serve as a lesson to other officers. If anyone is currently doing something wrong, stop before we take action against them. As mentioned before, I have all the information,” he said.
Previously, 11 immigration officers were arrested for allegedly conspiring to hack the MyIMMs system to facilitate unauthorised applications and approvals of PLKS.
Six other individuals, including two company directors, three foreign nationals and a police officer, were also detained in connection with the investigation.
Zakaria had earlier stated that all PLKS approvals found to have been issued through the syndicate’s access to the compromised MyIMMs system would be cancelled.
