By Muguntan Vanar

KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA: Police are investigating Interpol intelligence reports that international syndicates and individuals including terrorists were using Malaysian passports for criminal purposes.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said they were investigating if local or international syndicates were providing Malaysian passports to international criminal groups.

He said the issue of Malaysian passports being used by various criminal elements, including terrorists, was highlighted at a recent Interpol conference in Russia attended by Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

"Based on the records from Interpol, we have information that there have been many cases of Malaysian travel documents being misused by criminals or irresponsible individuals, including terrorists.

"This is giving Malaysia a bad image," Ismail said here after opening a two-day crime prevention seminar attended by 250 government officials, non-governmental organisations and individuals.

Asked if passports involved were genuine, Ismail said: "We don't have the details. We are working with Interpol to get more accurate data. We want to know how they are getting hold of the passports and whether it is the work of a syndicate or individuals," he told reporters, adding that they would work closely with the Immigration officials.

In his speech earlier, Ismail said Malaysia remained, "a transit point for international drug smugglers and, of late, Malaysian women are being used as drug mules. These issues must be addressed quickly."

Inspector General of police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said not only Malaysian passports but those of other countries were being used.

"I have asked my deputy, Tan Sri Ismail Omar, to meet with Immigration officials to find out how many Malaysian passports have been missing over the years and how many have been recovered so far.

"We will then check with the Interpol database to see if the Malaysian passports used by the criminals were fake or genuine," he said when contacted.

He said the police viewed the use of Malaysian documents very seriously and will work closely with Interpol and other enforcement agencies to overcome the matter.