Border agency probes 'phantom travel' after Mkini's exposé
Published: Jun 24, 2025 1:01 PM
Updated: 7:09 PM
Summary
- The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency launches an investigation following Malaysiakini’s exposé of a “phantom travel” syndicate at KLIA.
- The syndicate lets civil servants with unexplained wealth travel undetected via corrupt immigration counters, avoid automated gates, and ensure their passports are not stamped.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency is investigating the “phantom travels” syndicate after Malaysiakini’s recent exposé of the shady operation at KLIA.
The agency said it is taking action following the report that civil servants are using the syndicate to travel abroad without leaving any immigration records.
It explained the probe is into allegations of staff collusion with the syndicate, including failing to record traveller movement at the country’s entry points according to standard operating procedures and charging fees to avoid detection.
“This agency maintains close cooperation with the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department in making improvements to visitor inspections at the country’s entry points, particularly at KLIA.
“With the full implementation of automated gates for departure clearance, the development of the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe), and the use of AI technology, the agency believes issues involving staff in counter setting, flying passports, and phantom travel can be reduced and eliminated.
“The agency will not compromise or protect any staff member who commits integrity violations that tarnish the good name and image of the department.
“Action and punishment will be taken based on existing legal provisions, including dismissal if the offending staff member is found guilty,” it said.
Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency officers
Malaysiakini recently reported on the syndicate operating in KLIA, which it dubbed “phantom travels”.
The syndicate helps low-ranking civil servants with money beyond their pay grade to travel abroad without updating their immigration records, to avoid being questioned by superiors.
While initially popular among immigration staffers, it has also attracted those from other departments.
Malaysiakini’s recent investigation at KLIA found that several Immigration Department officers are involved in the syndicate.
“Phantom travels” is now the latest reported syndicate, in addition to the alleged “counter setting” scams, “fly” syndicates, and wildlife smuggling plaguing the airport.
Who are involved?
According to a source from the Immigration Department, there are two types of civil servants involved.
“The first type has a high position and can easily go abroad or anywhere because there is no superior officer to monitor them.
“The second type is low-ranking staff who are monitored by superior officers,” he said.
Despite being low-ranking government employees, the source said they have a lot of money due to their involvement in “projects”. However, they have problems spending the money due to constant monitoring by their superiors.
“If they want to go abroad, they are required to inform their superiors and may be questioned about how they procured the money and so on.
“To avoid it, they go through this syndicate,” he said.
Avoiding the ‘autogate’
Malaysiakini’s investigation also found that the syndicate’s modus operandi was so smooth that it was difficult to detect without close monitoring, with collusion extending to immigration officers on duty at the counters.
To leave the country, these civil servants bypass the “autogate” normally used by travellers and go through an immigration counter instead, with the help of the officer on duty.
This results in their passports not being scanned, stamped, or recorded as leaving the country. The immigration officer at the counter then helps them to get to the departure terminal.
Malaysiakini recently reported on the syndicate operating in KLIA, which it dubbed “phantom travels”.
The syndicate helps low-ranking civil servants with money beyond their pay grade to travel abroad without updating their immigration records, to avoid being questioned by superiors.
While initially popular among immigration staffers, it has also attracted those from other departments.
Malaysiakini’s recent investigation at KLIA found that several Immigration Department officers are involved in the syndicate.
“Phantom travels” is now the latest reported syndicate, in addition to the alleged “counter setting” scams, “fly” syndicates, and wildlife smuggling plaguing the airport.
Who are involved?
According to a source from the Immigration Department, there are two types of civil servants involved.
“The first type has a high position and can easily go abroad or anywhere because there is no superior officer to monitor them.
“The second type is low-ranking staff who are monitored by superior officers,” he said.
Despite being low-ranking government employees, the source said they have a lot of money due to their involvement in “projects”. However, they have problems spending the money due to constant monitoring by their superiors.
“If they want to go abroad, they are required to inform their superiors and may be questioned about how they procured the money and so on.
“To avoid it, they go through this syndicate,” he said.
Avoiding the ‘autogate’
Malaysiakini’s investigation also found that the syndicate’s modus operandi was so smooth that it was difficult to detect without close monitoring, with collusion extending to immigration officers on duty at the counters.
To leave the country, these civil servants bypass the “autogate” normally used by travellers and go through an immigration counter instead, with the help of the officer on duty.
This results in their passports not being scanned, stamped, or recorded as leaving the country. The immigration officer at the counter then helps them to get to the departure terminal.
After travelling to their desired country, they return to Malaysia in the same way - the “friendly” immigration counter, without any entry stamp recorded in their passports.
In essence, according to immigration records, the civil servants never left the country.
Payments involved
According to a source from KLIA Terminal 1, the “service fee” to pass through the immigration counter is between RM1,000 and RM1,500.
“In the past, immigration officers who carried out ‘projects’ would travel abroad without the knowledge of the department head. Now, I see staff from other departments also starting to go abroad without being tracked.
“They are trying to avoid reporting to superiors about their travel. As we know, government officials are required to report travel abroad, especially if it involves countries that require visas.
“This way, they can travel without the knowledge of the department head,” the source said.
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