Chinese nationals linked to KLIA commotion have returned home, says MACC chief

The Chinese nationals linked to the commotion at KLIA last week returned to their home country yesterday, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki.

"We have recorded the statements of the two women, and we cannot stop them from returning home," he told reporters in Putrajaya.

Azam said MACC had recorded statements from 14 individuals on the incident: the two Chinese nationals, one VIP, eight immigration officers and other witnesses.

He said the issue of corruption emerged after one of the women was contacted by a Chinese man who claimed to be an agent of a company appointed by the KLIA management to handle those who had been given not-to-land (NTL) notices by the immigration department.

"I confirmed that there was an external party involved in contacting the woman in question for the purpose of helping to buy a plane ticket and setting a management fee, so we will conduct an investigation and track down the agent," he said.

He said MACC’s investigation found there was a company responsible for managing travellers who had been served with NTL notices at KLIA since 2017.

However, he said the commission wanted to find out whether this was being done according to procedure or otherwise.

Azam said 41 Chinese nationals, including the woman, were slapped with NTL notices on the day of the incident.

"MACC is also looking into the system and procedures on the issuance of NTL notices, including the process that must be followed until the Chinese woman was granted entry (into the country)," he said.

In another development, Azam confirmed that MACC had received information about a National Registration Department officer who allegedly asked for money to issue citizenship certificates.

"We will start an investigation as soon as possible," he said.