Kuala lumpur: Jewellery weighing 3.2 kilogrammes and valued at RM1.6 million was among various items seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from six individuals suspected of involvement in a counter-setting syndicate during Op Rentas last Sept 9 and 11.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya stated that the raids, conducted by the Selangor MACC at the suspects' residences, also uncovered 75 gold bars worth approximately RM400,000. The operation, which aimed to dismantle the syndicate, revealed substantial assets linked to the suspects.

In addition to the jewellery and gold bars, the MACC team also sealed a plot of land, a house, several luxury vehicles, RM20,000 in cash, assorted handbags, and 20 designer watches valued at about RM100,000. Ahmad Khusairi highlighted that five of the suspects are Immigration officers stationed at airport counters, while the sixth is a member of the public.

'The Selangor MACC also froze 70 bank accounts linked to the syndicate, bringing the total value of seizures to approximately RM3.3 million,' he mentioned in a statement today. Ahmad Khusairi explained that the five immigration officers were believed to have received money from agents in return for facilitating the entry of foreigners into the country.

Furthermore, he noted that the case was still being investigated under Section 17a of the MACC Act 2009. The investigation aims to uncover the network's full extent and the methods employed to bypass immigration controls.

Yesterday, it was reported that the MACC had uncovered the activities of a married couple, both enforcement officers, who opened a gold shop suspected of using proceeds from corruption. The couple, in their 40s, are believed to have been involved in arranging the entry of foreigners who did not have complete documents to enter the country for the past four years.