Dressed in matching white shirts, small groups of Chinese nationals gather at a restaurant inside the Home Ministry’s Federal Territory complex at around 11am. Local “runners”, familiar with the building, guide them through what appears to be a well-rehearsed routine.

This is the modus operandi Malaysiakini observed during an investigation into an alleged syndicate exploiting the Special Pass facility at the Immigration Department’s Federal Territory office at Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

Intended to help foreigners resolve urgent immigration matters, the facility is allegedly being abused to extend their stay in Malaysia beyond the period ordinarily allowed under a tourist visa.