PUTRAJAYA: A syndicate involved in fraudulent birth registrations to grant non-citizens Malaysian citizenship is suspected of being linked to an international child trafficking ring. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the group creates fake documents to obtain legitimate birth certificates, which are then sold on the black market.

The ministry launched Op Tumpang with MACC after a year-long investigation, resulting in raids in multiple states and the seizure of RM54,000 in illegal proceeds. A lawyer and several individuals were arrested, and the case is being investigated under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957. MACC also launched two operations, Op Outlander and Op Birth, targeting clinics, law firms, and other suspects.