Malaysia: Officials suspected of involvement in human trafficking

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Minister of Home Affairs, told the media on May 13 that investigations into the syndicate's activities will continue until the syndicate is totally quashed and all of its members are brought to justice. 

"Investigations have been carried out over the past two months and it was found that several officers had indeed committed the offence and tarnished the image of the department and the ministry," the Malaysian Deputy PM was quoted as saying by Bernama, Malaysia’s national news agency. 

Ahmad Zahid said he instructed the police to carry out the investigations after the media reported that the syndicate used the Kuala Lumpur airports as transit points for Sri Lankan immigrants before sending them to a third country. 

Two immigration officers were among 19 individuals arrested on May 12 for alleged involvement in the human trafficking syndicate.