The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed an ongoing investigation into a migrant trafficking cartel recently exposed by Malaysiakini journalist B Nantha Kumar, who was arrested over alleged bribery.
“Yes, we are investigating them. I have mentioned many times that MACC is not only looking into this but has been investigating cartels involved in trafficking foreign labourers into the country,” said MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki at a press conference in Putrajaya this afternoon.
Azam was responding to questions about the investigation into the journalist, who was arrested last Friday for allegedly receiving bribes from an agent dealing with foreign workers. This includes whether the MACC is also probing the agent’s alleged involvement in cartel activities.
It was reported that the journalist allegedly received RM20,000 in bribes in exchange for not publishing two articles exposing the cartel. Nantha, who has worked with Malaysiakini since 2018, has written extensively about immigration syndicates, including those linked to the Immigration Department.
Recently, he broke a story about a new Pakistani cartel allegedly masterminded by a former Immigration Department officer, who now holds the title of “Datuk.”