Malaysia recruitment scam: ACC to sue Debate for Democracy Chair Kiron, 10 others for embezzling Tk525cr

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved filing six cases against 11 officials from six recruiting agencies — including Debate for Democracy Chair and Merit Trade International Ltd Chairman Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron — for allegedly embezzling and laundering over Tk525 crore by charging excessive fees from Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Malaysia.

The accused collected about five times the government-approved migration cost of Tk78,990 from 31,331 workers through a syndicate, ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhter Hossain said today (6 November).

"The commission approved the cases on Tuesday. Owners and senior officials of the six recruiting agencies will be named as accused in the cases," he added.

According to the ACC, Ruhul Amin, owner of Amin Tours & Travels, will be named as the accused in the first case for allegedly collecting an additional Tk124.45 crore from 7,430 workers.

A second case is being filed against Merit Trade International Ltd Chairman, media personality and Debate for Democracy Chair Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron for allegedly collecting an additional Tk58.44 crore from 3,489 workers.

Kiron's wife, who serves as the company's managing director, will also be named as an accused in the case, according to ACC.

Sadia International owner Shameem Ahmed Chowdhury Noman will be named as the accused in the third case for allegedly collecting an additional Tk55.62 crore from 3,321 workers.

Imperial Resource Ltd Chairman Md Iqbal Hossain and Managing Director Badruddoza Chowdhury will be named as accused in another case for allegedly collecting an additional Tk135.69 crore from 8,101 workers.

RRC Human Resource Service Ltd Chairman Mohammad Moniruzzaman and Managing Director Md Alamgir Kabir will be named as accused for allegedly collecting an additional Tk87.13 crore from 5,202 workers.

In another case, Thanex International Ltd former managing director Abdullah Shahed, Director Md Zainal Abedin, and Managing Director Shamsher Ahmed will be accused of collecting an additional Tk63.88 crore from 3,788 workers.

Earlier, on 11 March, the ACC filed a case against 32 people over the embezzlement of Tk1,128 crore in connection with sending workers to Malaysia. Another case was filed on 14 September against senior officials of 13 recruiting agencies for allegedly misappropriating Tk1,159 crore.

Malaysia halted manpower recruitment from Bangladesh in 2018 due to widespread irregularities and syndicate activities. The country resumed recruitment on 19 December 2021 through a new agreement with Bangladesh.

At that time, the government fixed the maximum migration cost for workers at Tk78,540, as per an office order issued in 2022 by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas.