Immigration officers charged with smuggling migrants

SEPANG: Two immigration officers were charged at the Sessions Court yesterday with three counts of smuggling in migrants from Bangladesh at the KL International Airport (KLIA) last November.

Abdul Faiz Hannan Ibrahim, 24, and Adly Affandi Abdul Rahim, 34, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after the charges were read to them separately before Judge Saifulakmal Mod Said.

Abdul Faiz was charged with smuggling in a migrant identified as Abdul Momen at the air control tower at the third floor of the airport between 10 am and 10.30 am on Nov 20, 2017.

Adly Affandi. meanwhile, was charged with two counts of smuggling in Bangladeshis identified as Md Mosarof Harith and Ashabdul Haque at the same location between 8.30am and 9.30am on Dec 6, 2017.

Both accused were charged under Section 26A of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries maximum jail of 15 years and can be fined or both, if convicted.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ungku Alfiati Zabeidah Ungku Ismail asked the court to deny bail and for the cases to the transferred to the Shah Alam High Court, which the court granted.

Abd Faiz Hannan was not represented while Adly Affandy by counsel Zafran Zafri Mohd Zaini.

Both accused were arrested on Jan 17 under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). - Bernama