PUTRAJAYA (July 11, 2008): The Anti-Corruption Agency has arrested the director-general of a government department and six others, including two businessman with the title of Datuks, in a graft case that involves syndicates supplying foreign workers.
In a Press conference this afternoon, ACA investigations director Datuk Shukri Abdull said they have also seized about RM500,000 in cash and bundles of visas in several operations in the Klang Valley from Tuesday to Thursday.
He said those picked up during the operations include runners and syndicate members. They were aged between 35 and 64 years old.
All seven people nabbed have been remanded by a court for three to four days (from their date of arrest) to help in investigation into the case which has exposed the hanky panky that has been going on and much talked about. It is learnt the department head was picked up yesterday evening.
“Those arrested, including the head of a department, are investigated under Section 11 of the Anti-Corruption Act for accepting bribery,” Shukri said.
He said they have identified other companies and individuals believed involved in the business of procuring calling visas but refused to disclose the number. He however advised them to come forward as the department knows who they are.
A calling visa is a document issued by the Immigration Department to enable worker recruitment agents to bring in foreign workers who have been identified. This visa is issued after the agent has got written approval from the authorities to bring in a specific number of workers.
