The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), raided 10 premises in Kuala Lumpur believed to be operating as unauthorised clinics since last year.
Following the raids, the authorities arrested 10 Bangladesh nationals posing as doctors at the premises.
Malaysian authorities raid unauthorised clinics in Kuala Lumpur with foreigners posing as doctors
According to a report by Berita Harian, JIM director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban asserted that the special operation was conducted yesterday (23 January) at 10 locations in Kuala Lumpur, including 6 premises at Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, 2 premises at Lebuh Pudu, and 1 at Jalan Silang.
Zakaria added that based on complaints from the public and intelligence operations conducted for 2 weeks, the authorities raided the business premises locations and managed to apprehend 10 Bangladesh nationals aged between 31 and 50.
He further revealed that based on initial investigations, one of the foreigners arrested had a Visitor’s Pass (Temporary Employment) for the services sector and 6 others had a Visitor’s Pass (Temporary Employment) for the construction sector.
Meanwhile, 2 of the Bangladeshis arrested had overstayed their stay in our country, while one had no valid documents to stay in Malaysia.
The unauthorised clinics have been operational for around 1 year and use drugs smuggled from Bangladesh
During the raid, the operation team seized fake doctor equipment, medicines, and RM800 cash, which was believed to have been obtained from consultation services and the sale of drugs. Furthermore, MOH also seized 502 unregistered drugs worth approximately RM265,192.
The JIM director-general elaborated that the modus operandi of these unauthorised clinics includes offering treatments to Bangladeshi nationals through Bangladeshi doctors with no certification.
Moreover, the drugs in the unauthorised clinics were not approved by MOH and were smuggled into Malaysia by Bangladesh nationals who came as tourists and paid up to RM500 each to do so.
The unauthorised clinics used eateries and convenience stores as a smokescreen to hide their activities from the authorities.
They have been operational for about one year and charge patients between RM50 and RM200 for treatments and medicine.
So, what do you guys think of the raids? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: Woman Pretends to Faint in an Attempt to Avoid Arrest by Immigration Dept
