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The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four individuals, including three officers from the Melaka Immigration Department, for allegedly accepting bribes to protect businesses employing illegal immigrants
According to Bernama, all suspects, aged between 30 and 50, were arrested at the Melaka MACC office yesterday, 5 January.
Two of the enforcement officers are believed to have received monthly bribes from employers in Melaka, in exchange for protecting their premises and refraining from taking action for hiring illegal immigrant workers without valid work permits.
The Star reported that the bribes, amounting to RM20,000, were allegedly received between 2021 and 2025.
The wife of one of the officers was also detained for allegedly abetting her husband by receiving and managing the bribe payments.
"The bribe payments are believed to have been made in cash through hand-to-hand transactions as well as via bank account transfers," a source said.
A third enforcement officer was detained for allegedly soliciting and receiving bribes from a restaurant manager in Melaka to avoid action against the employment of foreign workers without valid travel documents
He is believed to have received RM1,950 in bribes between January and July 2025.
All four suspects have been remanded for six days until 11 January to assist with investigations.
Melaka MACC director Datuk Aid Supian Shafie said the cases are being investigated under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, adding that the arrests followed intelligence gathering and a joint operation with the police.
