PAS has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to prioritise investigating the migrant trafficking syndicate allegedly operating at KLIA in collusion with immigration officers, rather than focusing on the arrest of Malaysiakini journalist B Nantha Kumar.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan emphasised that the syndicate poses a greater threat to Malaysia’s security and economy, stating, “Such activity (syndicate), if proven true, has higher potential to trigger more serious and dangerous problems for Malaysia’s security and economy.”
“This is in comparison to allegations of criminal intimidation said to involve a Malaysiakini journalist who wrote (articles) on Feb 19 and Feb 22, exposing a Pakistani cartel smuggling workers into Malaysia,” said the Kota Bharu MP.
Nantha was arrested following claims he solicited RM100,000 from a migrant worker agent in exchange for not publishing two articles.
However, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki clarified the arrest was based on a bribery complaint and not his investigative articles.
Segamat MP R Yuneswaran backed calls to extend the investigation to the syndicate, stressing, “The journalist had recently written about a migrant trafficking cartel, particularly a so-called ‘mastermind’ behind a Pakistani cartel.”
“Given the seriousness of these allegations, MACC must ensure that those responsible for such criminal activities are also held accountable,” said Yuneswaran, echoing a perception that such claims had long plagued the immigration system.
He stressed that the MACC should not take the journalist’s report lightly or ignore the potential wrongdoing it exposed.
The case has sparked debates on press freedom and the need to uphold journalistic integrity while addressing corruption in Malaysia’s immigration system. —Mar 2, 2025
Main image: ABC News
