MACC Tracking Another Doctor To Assist In Falsified Perkeso Claims Case

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is currently tracking down another doctor to assist in the investigation into allegations of falsified Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) disability claims in Penang.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the doctor is employed at a hospital in Penang.

"An arrest will be made soon," he told reporters today, adding that 19 cases related to such claims have been uncovered so far. 

Three doctors were among 33 individuals remanded for one to three days starting today under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009. Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi issued the remand order.

The individuals were detained yesterday after providing statements at the MACC office in Penang. The false claims made since 2017 amount to approximately RM2.1 million.

In a separate development, Azam announced that the MACC is tracking down an Immigration Department officer to assist in its Ops Setting investigation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Azam explained that the individual in question holds significant influence among Immigration officers involved in the syndicate, despite not holding a high-ranking position.

"He fled as soon as the operation began, and we believe he is still in the country," he said.

On Aug 29, Azam reported that 13 individuals, including two enforcement officers at KLIA, had been arrested for suspected involvement in a syndicate facilitating the illegal entry of foreign nationals through certain immigration counters. 

On Aug 28, a Myanmar national who acted as a syndicate agent was charged in the Sessions Court under Section 16(b)(B) of the MACC Act 2009 for bribing an Immigration officer with RM5,650 to allow the entry of nine individuals from Myanmar through KLIA2 without following the established immigration procedures.

-- BERNAMA