SHAH ALAM, July 31 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) expects more arrests and asset seizures as investigations continue into a syndicate suspected of hacking the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs) to illegally process Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) applications and approvals.
Sinar Harian reported that its chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said a significant number of individuals remain under investigation as the commission works to determine the extent of their involvement in the case.
"The number of individuals involved can be said to be large, and investigations are still ongoing to examine the extent of their involvement.
"We expect more arrests and seizures to be carried out with the cooperation of the Immigration Department," he said during a media conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
Also present at the event was Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
Halim added that Op Crack was launched following intelligence sharing between the Immigration Department and MACC which began in May, before enforcement action was carried out on Tuesday (July 28).
The operation involved MACC's Special Projects Branch under its Intelligence Division, the Immigration Department's Intelligence Division, the Securities Commission Malaysia, Telekom Malaysia, the National Cyber Security Agency, and MACC's Technology Forensics Division.
"To date, a total of 12 individuals have been remanded for between two and three days from July 29 until today to assist in the investigation,” he said.
Four individuals have already had their statements recorded, while several more will be called as witnesses to assist investigators.
During Op Crack, the MACC seized RM186,360 in cash, SG$700 (approximately RM2,313), 19 mobile phones, six laptops, two desktop computers, two CPU units, and a router.
The authorities also confiscated seven gold bars weighing 0.2g each, one 2g gold bar, a gold chain, a gold bracelet, and a gold key chain with a combined estimated value of RM15,700.
Halim noted that the commission is also in the process of freezing bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies linked to the investigation.
"The MACC will remain committed to ensure that every weakness in the country's systems is closed so that the security and integrity of public administration are always preserved," he said.
