Syndicate suspected behind bid to traffic 279 foreigners via KLIA
KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate is believed to be behind an attempt to traffic 279 foreigners into Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport last week.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA), which foiled the attempt by issuing a record number of Not-To-Land (NTL) orders, believes the case may be just the tip of the iceberg.
The agency's acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad said the foreigners issued NTLs on June 2 displayed travel patterns consistent with past illegal entries linked to trafficking syndicates.
"We found repeated red flags, identical travel itineraries, scripted responses and questionable documentation," he told the New Straits Times.
"This strongly suggests a coordinated effort, possibly involving trafficking networks or illegal syndicates."
On Tuesday, MBCA said it recorded its highest number of NTLs in a single day, denying entry to 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis and six Indian citizens who failed to meet immigration requirements.
The foreigners, detected by the KLIA Border Control Monitoring Team, were immediately deported.
That team was established in 2023 to improve early screening and identify high-risk travellers.
Previously, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet had discussed how immigration and airports handle NTL cases.
He said NTLs were issued for various reasons, including being blacklisted or failing to show proof of visit purpose — such as a visa, return flight ticket or hotel accommodation — as required under immigration regulations.
"The NTL decision was made in the interest of safeguarding Malaysia's borders and the integrity of its immigration system," said Sazali.
He added that Sections 8 and 28 of the Immigration Act empowered authorities to refuse entry to individuals deemed unqualified or suspicious.
Sazali said apart from suspected syndicate links, NTLs were also issued to travellers who fail to meet key immigration requirements, such as a clear travel purpose, sufficient funds, valid documentation and verifiable accommodation.
He said these anomalies were consistent with those used by organised groups, though investigations are ongoing.
MORE NTL s DURING PEAK PERIODS, HOLIDAYS
Sazali said between June 2023 and May last year, 25,568 NTL cases were recorded nationwide, with the highest numbers logged during public holidays and school breaks.
"The busiest months were July 2023 (2,358 cases) and August 2023 (2,224 cases)," he said.
Sazali said the spike was no coincidence.
"Peak travel seasons often provide cover for irregular movements. We are now using enhanced profiling and real-time data to detect these threats at the source," he said.
He said MBCA primarily relied on the Immigration Department's MyIMMs system, which automatically flags travellers on watch lists, blacklists or with known criminal records, and generates real-time alerts for immediate action.
"This allows officers to make immediate, informed decisions on whether to hold or deny entry for further checks.
"The system is particularly valuable during peak travel periods when quick and accurate assessments are essential."
He added that MBCA was working with foreign embassies and airlines to manage NTLs.
"We engage embassies to verify travellers' identities and provide consular support.
"We also work with airlines to arrange return flights, provide meals, and manage temporary care for individuals denied entry.
"Such coordination helps prevent confusion and ensures airport operations remain orderly, even during high-traffic periods."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Tour bus skids on NSE, 36 Indian tourists, driver unharmed
IPOH: Thirty-six Indian nationals and a local driver escaped unhurt after the tour bus they were travelling in skidded and crashed at KM 396.2 of the North-South Expressway (NSE) northbound near Muallim this afternoon. Muallim police chief Supt Mohd Hasni Mohd Nasir said the incident occurred at 3.39 pm, and all victims, including the 41-year-old driver, escaped without any injuries. According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the bus was en route from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh when it lost control and veered to the right side of the road. 'The bus then crashed into the central divider before ending up in a drain on the right side of the highway,' he said when contacted today. He said the tour bus was carrying 32 men and four women, all Indian nationals, who were believed to be travelling from Hotel Regalia in Kuala Lumpur to Hotel Weil in Ipoh. 'All passengers were transferred to a replacement bus to continue their journey to their respective destinations,' he said. Meanwhile, through a post on X, PLUS Malaysia Berhad reported that the crash site was cleared by 6.50 pm, after which traffic returned to normal.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Barnama
Tour Bus Skids On NSE, 36 Indian Tourists, Driver Unharmed
IPOH, June 19 (Bernama) -- Thirty-six Indian nationals and a local driver escaped unhurt after the tour bus they were travelling in skidded and crashed at KM 396.2 of the North-South Expressway (NSE) northbound near Muallim this afternoon. Muallim police chief Supt Mohd Hasni Mohd Nasir said the incident occurred at 3.39 pm, and all victims, including the 41-year-old driver, escaped without any injuries. According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the bus was en route from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh when it lost control and veered to the right side of the road.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Air India plane crash: Black box to be sent to United States for data extraction
AHMEDABAD, (India): A week after the deadly AI171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, India will send the black box of the Air India Boeing 787 aircraft to the United States for data recovery, as per sources. They added that the crucial evidence in the investigation of the crash has suffered damage due to high temperatures following the plane crash, which is making data extraction unfeasible. Notably, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the US federal air crash investigation team, which is already assisting their Indian counterparts in the investigation, will also help in extracting the data at its Washington, DC, office. An Indian delegation will also accompany the black box to oversee the entire investigation process and ensure all protocols are followed. A black box is basically a 'recorder' planted inside the flight for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents. The electronic device, a bright orange-coloured box that is recovered after a plane accident, offers crucial information about the last moments before the mishap. It is primarily made of titanium and enclosed in a titanium box that can survive a severe crash involving fire. Inside the box are two separate devices: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which means it not only offers the data of the technical functioning of the aircraft during the flight, it also registers the conversations that may have taken place between pilot and co-pilots, and their communication with the ATC. Notably, a high level committee under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary has been formed by the government which includes the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Senior Officials from Home Ministry; Officials of Home Department and State Disaster Response Authority of Gujarat, the Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad, the Director General of Inspection and Safety in the Indian Air Force and the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. The committee will submit its report within three months. The Committee is expected to focus on formulating Standard Operating Procedures for preventing such occurrences in the future. A separate investigation is also being carried out by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is looking into the technical aspects of the crash. - The Statesman/ANN
