Imagine a breach of trust so severe that it compels a seasoned government official to betray his own duty—uncovering a story that reveals the darker side of corruption within immigration enforcement. But here's where it gets controversial: how deep does the rot go, and could this kind of misconduct be more common than we think? This is the troubling case of a senior immigration officer who was sentenced to prison for accepting bribes from vegetable suppliers, an incident that sheds light on ongoing corruption issues in the system.
On December 16, 2025, the Johor Bahru Sessions Court handed down a four-year prison term and a fine of RM20,000 to Zulkifly Abd Za’par, a senior officer from Malaysia’s immigration department. The court convicted him of 19 separate charges related to soliciting and accepting bribes from two vegetable suppliers approximately six years earlier.
The judge, Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail, found Zulkifly guilty of violating Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act. The charges involved Zulkifly requesting RM2,000 each month and accepting a total of RM50,000 as bribes from these suppliers. The purpose? To prevent action against their undocumented foreign workers, effectively turning a blind eye to illegal employment practices.
While the sentences for each of the 19 offences were set at four years, the court ordered all sentences to run concurrently, meaning the accused would serve only four years overall instead of multiple consecutive terms.
Zulkifly, who was previously part of the immigration department’s anti-trafficking and anti-money laundering division, committed these offences in Johor Bahru during 2019 and 2020. When the court examined the case, it was clear that Zulkifly had not presented a convincing argument to cast doubt on the prosecution’s evidence.
During the trial, Zulkifly tried to justify the bribes by claiming they were “consultant fees” for work conducted on behalf of the vegetable suppliers. Additionally, he alleged that he had been victimized by an MACC investigator named Rasyidi Said, who was unrelated to this case and was facing his own charges in another court. The court dismissed these defensive claims as baseless denials lacking supporting evidence, emphasizing that Zulkifly’s attempts to divert attention were unsubstantiated.
The case revealed a disturbing pattern: the two suppliers approached Zulkifly in 2018, seeking advice on the application process for work permits. However, Zulkifly informed them that the application deadline had already passed. Instead of declining further involvement, he allegedly asked how much they were willing to pay for his assistance. Both suppliers responded by indicating RM1,000 monthly, represented by raising a single finger. Over the course of two years, they continued to pay Zulkifly in exchange for his protection and leniency.
This illicit scheme was uncovered when the authorities arrested all three men in 2020, bringing to light vulnerabilities within the system that are often overlooked or overlooked. Their story raises critical questions about enforcement, oversight, and the potential scale of corruption in immigration services. How common are similar cases? And more importantly, what measures are being taken to root out such misconduct?
Stay informed and engaged: subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and analyses on issues compromising integrity within public service.
