KUALA LUMPUR: An illegal immigrant from the Philippines who was detained at Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on March 23 was found to have undergone military training and was proficient in handling firearms.
A source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), said the man, who is in his thirties, was caught while attempting to enter Peninsular Malaysia using a rented MyKad from a local syndicate based in Tawau, Sabah.
During interrogation, it was revealed that the suspect had undergone 44 days of military training at Dankalan Camp, Lamitan City in the Philippines in an attempt to become a member of the security forces, the source said.
"He entered Malaysia illegally through Sabah before continuing to Peninsular Malaysia.
"The tactical skills he possesses, aside from the ability to use firearms, can threaten national security and public safety if misused.
"In fact, the country remains on high alert and cautious towards the threat posed by Sulu terrorists who trespassed into the country back in 2013, ensuring that it does not happen again," the source said.
Meanwhile, the MACC is continuing its efforts to uncover the unscrupulous activities of illegal immigrant smuggling syndicates as the graftbusters work to detect individuals who 'rent' out their MyKads to the syndicate.
Efforts are currently underway through checks and inspections at Kampung Air, Semporna, Sabah since March 28.
MACC Deputy Director of Intelligence (Zone Control), Galan Ngadit, said the sixth suspect, an immigration department officer who works at the Tawau airport, had been detained and remanded in custody.
On March 24, the MACC detained nine individuals, including five immigration officers, in an operation codenamed Ops Lancar for their suspected involvement with an illegal immigrant smuggling syndicate in the country.
Based on intelligence gathering, five suspects, including two female immigration officers aged 30 and 41, were arrested on March 23.
The other suspects include three local women aged between 37 and 48 and a 73-year-old foreign man who is believed to be the syndicate mastermind.
The syndicate's modus operandi involves charging each undocumented immigrant or temporary resident who does not have complete documents or has restrictions around RM2,500 to exit Sabah through the Tawau airport.
The syndicate then provides the original MyKads and boarding passes in the name of the original MyKad holder to the undocumented immigrants that use their services.