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| CID Chief Datuk Huzir Mohamed |
By Farik Zolkepli on Thursday, 11 Jun 2020
KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is zeroing in on enforcement personnel who colluded with human smuggling syndicates following the arrests of 371 syndicate members during phase three of Ops Benteng, said Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed (pic).
The Bukit Aman CID director said police have identified enforcement personnel involved with the human smugglers.
“We arrested 371 syndicate members comprising agents, transporters and those who prepared transit houses for illegal immigrants during the operation held from June 4 to June 7.
“The syndicate members were responsible for arranging the entry of illegal immigrants, especially those from Indonesia, Myanmar and Bangladesh, through land and sea, ” he told a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday.
The police had started busting human trafficking syndicates since phase one of Ops Benteng from Jan 1 to March 17, before continuing in phase two from March 18 to June 3 during the movement control order (MCO) period, he added.“During phase two, the IGP instructed the CID to form a task force to curb the entry of illegal immigrants into the country, thus preventing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
“The IGP had instructed as such, as intelligence indicated that more foreigners will attempt to return to Malaysia illegally after the Hari Raya Aidilfitiri celebrations, ” Comm Huzir said.
Since Jan 1,547 syndicate members, including 41 women aged between 20 and 70, were arrested, he added.
“Those detained were Malaysians, Indonesians, Bangladeshi, Myanmar nationals and Filipinos.
“We will step up our operations against human smuggling activities to cut the chain of the syndicate’s network.
“Our efforts are in line with the instructions from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the authorities to tighten security at the country’s borders nationwide, ” said Comm Huzir.
Comm Huzir said the syndicate members were arrested under Sosma and investigated for joining organised crime syndicates.
He urged those with information on human smuggling activities to contact the Bukit Aman CID’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) unit (D3) at 0326101510 or the nearest police station.
On another matter, 26,366 people were detained for various violations since the start of the MCO, Comm Huzir said, adding that 78% of them, who were detained between March 18 and June 9 have been charged in court.
“Compounds were also issued to 10,875 people, including 3,098 issued at police stations and 1,762 compounds in the field, ” he said.
The Star
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/06/11/police-going-after-errant-officers
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/06/11/police-going-after-errant-officers
Traffickers demand payments for Rohingya stranded at sea
ReplyDeletePublished 16 Jun 2020
Human traffickers holding hundreds of Rohingya refugees at sea are demanding payments from their families before they will release them from boats off the shores of Southeast Asia, relatives and rights groups say.
Several hundred Rohingya, members of a Muslim minority from Myanmar fleeing persecution at home and refugee camps in Bangladesh, have been stranded for months after countries sealed their borders to block the spread of the coronavirus.
Three people who said their relatives were at sea told Reuters that traffickers had demanded money to release them from boats that have been off Southeast Asia since February, trying to find a place to land.
"Before, the deal was that if they were able to reach the Malaysian shore then they will take the money, but they're asking for it now," said Mohammed Ayas, who said his 16-year-old brother left a refugee camp in Bangladesh in February.
Since then, the family has heard nothing from him, Ayas said.
Musha, whose two sisters are also at sea after leaving camps in Bangladesh in February, said brokers acting for the traffickers asked the family to pay RM12,000 (US$2,800) by a mobile banking service for their transfer to Malaysia.
He said the family paid the sum but did not know the fate of the two teenaged girls.
For years, Rohingya have boarded boats between November and April, when the seas are calm, to get to Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. But coronavirus lockdowns have left boats stranded at sea.
Dozens of people died aboard a boat that had to return to Bangladesh in April after running out of food and water, survivors told Reuters.
Authorities in Malaysia detained 269 Rohingya who came ashore from a damaged boat last week. Human Rights Watch said about 70 percent of them were too weak to walk.
‘Offshore camp’
At least one vessel remains at sea, according to rights groups, with as many as 300 people on board, some of whom are believed to be sick. Its location is not known.
"This boat has been turned into an offshore traffickers' camp," said Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a group focusing on the Rohingya crisis. She described the people at sea as hostages and said the latest demands were for RM5,000 (US$1,170) per passenger to get to Malaysia.
An official with the Thai marine police said the vessel was not in Thai waters but had sought provisions from fishing boats. A second Thai police official, who also asked not to be named, said three boats carrying hundreds of Rohingya were close to Koh Adang, a Thai island, but on the Malaysian side of the border.
Malaysian officials, including the country's maritime enforcement agency, did not respond to requests for comment. The agency said it turned away a boat carrying about 300 Rohingya last week, media reported.
More than 730,000 Rohingya fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017 following a military crackdown the United Nations has said was carried out with "genocidal intent". Myanmar denies genocide, saying it was responding to attacks on security posts by Rohingya militants.
Nearly a million Rohingya now live in camps in southeast Bangladesh.
During a crackdown on trafficking networks that led to a similar crisis in 2015, gangs cast passengers adrift with meagre food and water. Many died at sea.
- Reuters
- Malaysiakini
- https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/530495
18 nabbed for collaborating with migrant syndicates and smugglers
ReplyDeleteBy Bernama - June 18, 2020 @ 8:23pm
JOHOR BAHRU: For RM500 to RM1,000 a month, a group of 18 enforcement officers and personnel were willing to sell information to a migrant and drug smuggling syndicate in the state.
This was uncovered following the detention of 40 allegedly from syndicates involved in the smuggling of migrants into the state on June 4, said Johor Police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
"18 officers and personnel of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) were detained on suspicion of being involved in migrant and drug smuggling syndicates on the East Coast of Johor over the past three years.
"All of them are men, aged from 24 to 41 years old, detained by the Johor CID through follow-up operations from June 15 until today,'' he told reporters at the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters, here, today.
Those detained comprised five ATM officers and personnel of various ranks, a police officer with the rank of ASP stationed at a district police headquarters (IPD) in the state, 12 low-ranked personnel, namely, nine stationed at the Kota Tinggi IPD, two in Bukit Aman and one Region Two Marine policeman.
Investigations revealed that all the suspects were involved in distributing information on operations and colluding and concealing information to facilitate smuggling.
"This is organised crime syndicate because it involves many parties. We will not tolerate it because it has been in operation for three years, it has an impact and repercussion on the operations we carry out.
"No matter what rank, we will arrest them. Wait and see the results of our investigations," he said.
"There is even one incident whereby personnel and officers who are able to deal with skippers to smuggle migrants and shabu can get up to RM10,000 in only one transaction," he said.
He said they would continue to carry out investigations.
- BERNAMA
- NST
- https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2020/06/601633/18-nabbed-collaborating-migrant-syndicates-and-smugglers
Involvement of security forces in trafficking a disgrace, says Patriot
DeletePublished 20 June 2020
Veterans group Patriot is outraged after hearing of the arrest of 18 members of the security forces suspected of human trafficking in the East Coast of Johor, calling it a disgrace to the uniform if the allegations are true.
"Those arrested were enforcement officers, meaning they were entrusted to execute tasks given by their superiors, and are now accused of colluding with crime syndicates.
"This is shocking because it is a crime against the nation, and it is also a disgrace to those in uniform," said Patriot president Mohamed Arshad Raji (above) in a statement today.
"If guilty, the culprits must be seriously dealt with. A charge for treason is preferred if possible.
"Patriot has for the last three years been quite critical of corrupt activities and abuse of power.
"As officers previously, we were trained to execute our tasks professionally to achieve the mission. Our integrity was beyond question and our values were honour, truth, and courage and for the country," he added.
Arshad was responding to a statement issued by Johor police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (photo) on the arrest of 18 law enforcement officers and personnel of the police and armed forces, following the arrest of 40 suspects of a human smuggling syndicate on June 4.
Chief of the Defence Forces Affendi Buang said the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will not compromise with any of its officers and personnel, who are found to be colluding with migrant smugglers.
"The Armed Forces, however, leaves it to the authorities, to take any further action on those directly or indirectly involved with the syndicate of smuggling undocumented migrants,” he said.
Arshad, meanwhile, reminded the forces of the commitment they had undertaken to defend the nation.
"Often time our tasks ahead were risky and we were prepared to lose our lives. Failure in the missions was unacceptable.
"As such, being veterans now we are averse to corruption and abuse of power among politicians and those holding high offices.
"For members of the security forces involved in crimes against the nation, we hold a stricter yardstick for criticism," he added.
Arshad said that while there was occasionally some misdemeanour among service personnel in the yesteryears, it was mostly confined to personal ill-discipline and minor offences like AWOL (absent without leave), striking, and even drug abuse.
"Commission of crime against the nation was almost non-existent. Part of the reason for that was because we had good leaders who guided and who had set good examples to the subordinates," he said.
"A strong message must be sent that crime does not pay, no matter how high an office one holds.
"In this regrettable case of security forces personnel collusion with crime syndicates, we urge commanders at all levels to keep reminding their officers and men of their sworn pledge to serve the King and country with all sincerity, honesty and to the fullest of their ability.
"The rank that they wear must be upheld in high esteem, honour and dignity," added Arshad.
- Mkini
- https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/531026
Lebih 300 tekong, dalang tempatan terlibat seludup warga asing diburu
ReplyDeleteBernama -June 19, 2020
KUALA LUMPUR: Pihak berkuasa memburu lebih 300 tekong dan dalang warga tempatan yang dikenal pasti terlibat dalam kegiatan penyeludupan pendatang tanpa izin ke dalam negara.
National Task Force (NTF) dalam kenyataan hari ini memaklumkan warga tempatan, khususnya yang terlibat dalam industri maritim seperti nelayan, pemilik dan operator bot serta pemancing, boleh didakwa mengikut Akta Anti Pemerdagangan Orang dan Anti Penyeludupan Migran (ATIPSOM) 2007, dan akan dikenakan tindakan keras oleh pihak berkuasa jika didapati bersalah.
Menurutnya mereka juga akan berdepan dengan tindakan pembatalan lesen menangkap ikan, memancing dan lesen mengoperasikan bot penumpang atau rekreasi sekiranya didapati terlibat.
Tindakan penguatkuasaan itu juga bukan sahaja tertumpu di seluruh kawasan perairan negara, tetapi turut merangkumi semua sempadan darat.
“NTF menerusi Ops Benteng akan menggempur sehingga ke akar umbi bagi memastikan tiada pendaratan pendatang tanpa izin khususnya sejak Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan dikuatkuasakan bagi mengelak risiko jangkitan wabak Covid-19, serta tiada pelanggaran undang-undang dilakukan oleh mana-mana pihak,” menurut kenyataan itu.
Ops Benteng yang diaktifkan sejak bulan lepas di bawah NTF merupakan kerjasama antara tentera, polis, Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia, Kementerian Kesihatan, Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia, Jabatan Imigresen dan Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia.
- BERNAMA
- FMT
- https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/2020/06/19/lebih-300-tekong-dalang-tempatan-terlibat-seludup-warga-asing-diburu/
Two nabbed for smuggling migrants
ReplyDeleteBernama: Published 22 Jun 2020
Police arrested two men believed to be involved in a human trafficking syndicate during raids in Kampung Alor Mengkudu in Alor Star last night.
Kedah police contingent’s Criminal Investigation Department head Sapii Ahmad said acting on information, the police carried out raids on several houses in the village at 10.30pm and detained 14 undocumented migrants.
“It was found that all the houses raided were occupied by Rohingyas, Bangladeshis and Indonesians, and all of them did not have valid travel documents. We have arrested 10 Rohingya men and two women, a Bangladeshi man and an Indonesian woman.
“Two Rohingya men, in their 30s, who admitted of having involved in smuggling migrants into the country will be investigated under Section 26 (A) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007,” he told Bernama today.
Meanwhile, Sapii said 12 other foreigners were also detained under Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 for staying in the country without a valid travel document.
- Bernama
- Mkini
- https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/531274
Gov’t firm in blocking entry of Rohingya refugees
ReplyDeleteBernama: Published 27 Jun 2020
The government is firm in its stand to stop the entry of Rohingya refugees into the country, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the government is maintaining its stand that the best solution is to send them back and the Foreign Ministry has been told to discuss ways to realise the matter.
“We also told the Foreign Ministry to discuss with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as many countries in the world that talked about humanitarianism are not accepting them.
“If they are really fighting for humanitarianism, I am challenging them to take the Rohingyas in Malaysia as they have questioned and criticised us,” he told reporters at Felda Chini 3 today.
Ismail Sabri also did not rule out the possibility of good treatment by Malaysia earlier had resulted in the country being the choice of Rohingya refugees.
He said the problem with the estimated 200,000 Rohingya refugees in the country would be resolved if developed countries which have been vocal in criticising Malaysia would help take in some of the refugees into their respective countries.
“We have treated them well from the humanitarian aspect, in fact, we are among the best in the world. If there are disasters in other countries, we are quick to extend contributions and assistance.
“Nonetheless, do not take advantage of our good intention as the whole world has pushed the Rohingya issue to Malaysia to solve,” he said.
Apart from that, Ismail, who is also the defence minister, also gave the government’s assurance to continue tightening the country’s border.
- Bernama
- Mkini
- https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/532010
'Undocumented migrants used aircraft navigation lights to enter Langkawi waters'
ReplyDeleteBernama: 28 June 2020
Hundreds of Rohingya refugees who entered the country's waters in June are believed to have used the aircraft navigation lights on Gunung Mat Cincang as a guide to land on Langkawi.
Langkawi Region One Marine Police Force commanding officer Rohizan Mohamad Said said the navigation lights helped undocumented migrants find land when they entered the country's waters at night as the situation at sea is very dark at the time.
“Therefore, boat skippers who bring in undocumented migrants will be looking for the navigation lights before making landings on the coast.
“The navigation lights at the top of the mountain are very important for pilots as it shows that the area is mountainous, besides having cable cars, thus avoiding any untoward incidents,” he told Bernama in an exclusive media coverage with the National Task Force.
Rohizan said the navigation lights would bring undocumented migrants to Teluk Nibong, near a five-star hotel located off the coast.
Commenting on the discovery of the undocumented migrants, Rohizan said this was the second time they had landed in the same bay as the area was near to the navigation lights.
“I understand that the undocumented migrants have been at sea for four months and the marine police received preliminary information from fisherfolk who spotted a suspicious-looking foreign ship entering the country’s waters.
“Upon receiving the information, marine police tracked a boat found almost 500 metres from the bay and found some of the undocumented migrants jumping overboard into the sea along with the skipper and swimming towards the mainland,” he said.
On June 8, Bernama reported that 269 Rohingyas were arrested for trying to enter Langkawi. The authorities also found the body of a woman on board the boat ferrying the undocumented migrants.
- Bernama
- Mkini
- https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/532115
Cops cripple three organised crime groups involved in human trafficking
ReplyDeleteBy Justin Zack
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have effectively dismantled three organised crime groups involved in smuggling undocumented migrants into the country.
In a press conference on Tuesday (June 30) at Bukit Aman, Federal CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said that a series of raids were conducted from June 4 to June 20.
“The gang leaders and its members have been caught and charged with migrant smuggling before but the gangs continued to exist. Their numbers grew as the days go by and their activities became more serious.
“The objective of these operations was to dismantle the Otong gang in Johor, Halim Gang in Perak and Husen Maungdaw Gang in Penang. A total of 111 suspects were arrested, aged between 28 and 68, ” he said.
He added that the cases were also being investigated for organised crime as well.
“This is the first time we had taken action on these migrant smuggling groups for organised crime. When they are charged later, there will be no bail.
Comm Huzir said that a team has also started investigations against the groups under the Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
As of now, 50 people in Johor, 13 in Perak and 18 in Penang will be charged on July 2.
Police also arrested 24 enforcement officers during those operations.
“In Johor, we arrested 14 police officers and five Armed Forces officers. In Perak, three police officers were caught and in Penang we apprehended two Immigration Department officers.
“All are still being detained under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) for further investigations linked to migrant smuggling, ” he said.
- The Star
- https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/cops-cripple-three-organised-crime-groups-involved-in-human-trafficking/ar-BB1699lK
Frequent change of guard to prevent border duty power abuse
ReplyDeleteBernama
Published 12 Jul 2020
Frequent change of guard for border security duty has been the practice for the armed forces to prevent its personnel from eventually working in cahoots with smugglers, Defence Force chief Affendi Buang said.
He said this was important to also prevent them from taking up roles as smuggling syndicate leaders and to maintain alert and preparedness levels at their respective patrol areas.
“This way, they will not get too familiar with the community in the operation areas, as otherwise they could end up being too complacent and join forces with those running illegal activities,” he told Bernama today.
Personnel or squads involved in border patrol duty are constantly monitored, he added.
Affendi said the armed forces will not comprise with any of its officers and personnel being involved in any forms of criminal activity, including smuggling.
Bernama had reported several members of the armed forces and police officers were among those arrested recently for abuse of power and being involved in the smuggling of migrants along the country’s borders.
Meanwhile, Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standard Compliance Department director Zamri Yahya told Bernama that the management will ensure the deployment of its officers and personnel in the border areas do not exceed five years to prevent misuse of power.
- Bernama
- Mkini
- https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/534055
GOF arrest 26 foreigners
ReplyDeleteBy Allan Jay - June 27, 2020
KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) succeeded in arresting 26 foreigners for entering Sarawak through illegal trails (jalan tikus) in three operations codenamed Op Benteng Covid from Thursday to Friday (June 25 to 26).
Sarawak GOF commander SAC Mancha Ata noted that the first operation took place on Thursday (June 25), when the GOF 11th Battalion personnel arrested an Indonesian man at Kampung Entubuh, Tebedu at 10am.
The 31-year-old man was arrested during a patrol and inspection duty by the team that found him entering Sarawak through illegal trails in a cemetery.
“Further inspections revealed that the man did not have any valid travel documents, and was arrested under Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1953/69.
“The second operation took place on the same day at 4.30pm, where six Indonesians were arrested by the same team for entering Sarawak through illegal trails near Kampung Tong Nibong, Serian.
“Inspections were conducted and found two motorcycles, two set of keys and a passport, with an estimated value of RM5,000,” he said in a statement.
Mancha pointed out that they were arrested under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007, Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1953/69 and the Passport Act 1966.
For the third operation on Friday (June 26), the GOF 11th Battalion arrested 19 Indonesians for entering Sarawak through illegal trails at 6.30am in a palm plantation in Serian.
Inspections conducted found that all of them do not have any work permit or valid documents. Hence, they were arrested under the Section 6 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1953/69.
The arrests of the foreigners and seizure of items were all handed over to Serian district police headquarters (IPD) for further action.
He added that GOF will continue to carry out such operations aggressively to detect any parties who are involved in smuggling and trafficking activities at the Sarawak–Kalimantan border.
“Aggressive action will be taken in an effort to curb any form of cross-border crime and block the entry of illegal immigrants by strengthening Sarawak’s border controls to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
- The New Sarawak Tribune
- https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/gof-arrest-26-foreigners/