‘Probe in jeopardy after report’

> Human trafficking investigations disrupted, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Police investigations into syndicates that smuggle illegal workers from Bangladesh into the country via KL International Airport have been jeopardised following a report in a local Malay daily yesterday, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

He said this after the Malay daily had done an investigative story where it reported four major syndicates in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, were involved in the trafficking of these workers.

“Now that the information is leaked to the public, our investigations are disrupted,” Fuzi told a press conference after the launch of the “Tabung Prihatin Pengaman” at Pulapol yesterday.

The daily reported that the syndicates could earn a profit of RM5.2 million a year by charging between RM15,000 and RM20,000 per person, including bribes to several authorities, especially members and officers of the Immigration Department and the Malaysian Embassy in Dhaka to smuggle these illegals into the country.

Meanwhile, details from the Hong Kong police regarding six Malaysians, who were arrested for attempting to carry nearly HK$4 million (RM2 million) worth of ketamine into the city, have been scarce, said Fuzi.

“Our narcotics side has made contact with them but the response is not so encouraging,” he said.

On a separate matter, Fuzi said police may investigate DAP’s Datuk Zaid Ibrahim under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over his remarks about the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

“I am aware that some reports have been made against him (Zaid),” he said.