Malaysian men getting hitched to foreign women for a price

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 20 (ANI): Some Malaysian men are being paid to marry women from China, Vietnam and other neighbouring countries so that these women can obtain visas to stay longer in the country.

The payment involving a larger sum is made in installments and the marriage contract usually lasts for two years, it has been found. Arrangements are even made for the 'bride' and 'groom' to have wedding photographs taken as proof of their matrimonial status.

The women who pay for the marriage of convenience are usually involved in vice activities and their 'husbands' will be paid an additional fee to 'bail' them out of trouble if they are arrested.

According to the Immigration authorities, this modus operandi by syndicates has been detected in major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh.

Zamberi Abdul Aziz of the Immigration enforcement said they had been working with the National Registration Department and police to crack the racket since 2010.

"These cases often go undetected until the foreign women are caught in raids at vice dens, night spots and massage parlours. The 'husbands' will turn up with the women's passports and marriage certificates. But there are cases when we ask the man for the woman's full name or to pick her out from a lineup of five women and he is unable to do so," he said.

Zamberi said the Immigration department had the right to detain the women for further investigation even if they presented valid papers.

Abdul Qadir Siddiq Ahmad of Penang Immigration Department said so far in 2011, they had cancelled six passes of Chinese national spouses and deported them. Last year, they cancelled 23 passes. (ANI)