In a shocking revelation, Malaysian authorities uncovered a network of illegal clinics operated by Bangladeshi nationals posing as doctors.
These clinics, discreetly hidden behind eateries and retail shops in the capital, were raided yesterday in a joint operation by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).
According to Kosmo!, the raid which took place yesterday (Jan 23), began at 11.45am and targeted nine locations, including six at Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, two at Leboh Pudu, and one at Jalan Silang.
This coordinated operation involved the Special Intelligence and Operations Division of the Immigration Headquarters in Putrajaya, supported by enforcement officers from Perak and Perlis.
2 weeks of surveillance uncover illegal clinics
According to Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, the operation was the culmination of two weeks of surveillance following public complaints.
The authorities detained 10 Bangladeshi men aged between 31 and 50.
Initial investigations revealed that one detainee held a Temporary Work Visit Pass (PLKS) for the Services Sector, while six others had PLKS for the Construction Sector.”
“Two individuals were found to have overstayed their visas, and one had no travel documents at all,” Zakaria stated.
Fake doctors, fake clinics
The illegal clinics were reportedly catering exclusively to Bangladeshi nationals, offering medical services from unlicensed Bangladeshi ‘doctors.’
To evade detection, these illicit practices were disguised as restaurants or convenience stores.
The operation also revealed the sale of unregistered medicines, suspected to have been smuggled into the country by Bangladeshi nationals entering as tourists.
Customers were charged between RM50 and RM200 for treatments, while consultation fees ranged from RM200 to RM500.
Zakaria noted that the illegal operations had likely been running for over a year.
Seizures worth over RM265,000
During the raids, authorities seized fake medical equipment, unregistered medicines, and RM800 in cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal clinics.
MOH also confiscated 502 types of unregistered medicines, with an estimated value of RM265,192.
The detainees are being investigated under Section 13(a) of the Poisons Act 1952, Regulation 3(1) of the Poisons (Psychotropic Substances) Regulations 1989, and Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
All detained individuals are being held under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
They have been sent to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation.
Meanwhile, two additional Bangladeshi men and six Malaysian women have been issued notices to report to the authorities to assist with the investigation.
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