Altaf Khan remanded in Malaysia for human trafficking

Altaf Khan, owner of Afia Overseas bearing RL no- 1010, has been arrested by Malaysian immigration authorities at Kuala Lumpur Airport and is currently on a two-day remand. 

Reliable sources confirmed that Khan was taken into custody during a special operation on Sunday. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating him for allegedly forming a syndicate that facilitated the illegal entry of foreign nationals into the country. Reports indicate that he may have bribed law enforcement officials between 200 and 25,000 ringgit to allow these individuals to bypass standard immigration processes.

The Star newspaper reported on the case without naming Khan, detailing how a Bangladeshi national was remanded on charges of using a "special counter" at the airport for these illicit activities. Magistrate Erza Zulaikha Rohanuddin approved the remand request from the MACC, which is pursuing further investigations into Khan’s operations.

As investigations unfold, the implications of Khan’s actions raise critical questions about human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad. The situation remains fluid as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s operations.

On September 3, Altaf Khan, a known figure linked to human trafficking, intentionally filed a case against 101 authorized manpower recruiting agencies that have successfully sent over 473,000 migrant workers to Malaysia. These workers play a crucial role in Bangladesh's economy by sending back remittances.

Sources suggest that Khan's actions aim to tarnish the reputation of these reputable agencies, potentially to gain favor with the interim government for his own vested interests. Mirza Walid Shipon, President of the Bangladesh Jubo Arthonitibid Forum, has called on the interim government to support the authorized recruiting agencies in order to restore economic stability and address the legal harassment faced by these organizations.

Shipon emphasized that protecting these agencies is vital for the nation’s economic health, as they contribute significantly to remittance inflows. The community is rallying for justice and to uphold the integrity of legitimate recruitment practices.