How did the clinic manage to operate for eight months undetected?

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The clinic allegedly avoided detection by using another person’s credentials and issuing certificates without examinations.

Authorities said the Subang Bestari private clinic was believed to have operated for eight months despite being illegally run, in part because it allegedly used another person’s Annual Practising Certificate (APC) and medical qualifications to convince patients and “avoid detection” by the authorities. Immigration officers also alleged the clinic issued medical certificates for RM20 each without conducting any medical examination or health assessment, which—together with the use of false credentials—helped it continue operating before enforcement action.
A month-long intelligence exercise preceded the June 25 raid
Immigration said the operation was carried out at 11.52am on June 25 by officers from its Intelligence and Special Operations Division at Putrajaya headquarters. The raid followed a month-long intelligence-gathering exercise, suggesting the clinic had not been immediately identified until investigators had collected enough information. The clinic’s alleged eight-month run ended when the raid uncovered the practice.
Another person’s APC and medical qualifications were used to “avoid detection”
Immigration alleged that the clinic used another person’s APC and medical qualifications to convince patients and avoid detection by the authorities. The seized items included an APC and documents linked to the Companies Commission of Malaysia, along with the suspect’s name stamp and the clinic’s official stamp. These details indicate the clinic’s ability to appear legitimate to patients may have been tied to the credentials it allegedly presented.
Medical certificates were issued for RM20 without examinations
Authorities also alleged the clinic issued medical certificates without conducting any medical examination or health assessment. Immigration said the clinic charged RM20 for each certificate, which implies a fast, low-friction process that did not require clinical assessment as part of the service. This alleged practice would have reduced the likelihood of routine scrutiny during patient interactions.
Enforcement actions have previously found similar cases since 2024
Immigration said the June 25 case was the fourth detected since 2024 involving a foreign national allegedly impersonating or working as an unlicensed doctor. The department also said the detained Pakistani man was suspected of posing as an unlicensed doctor. This pattern of prior detections suggests such activities can persist until targeted enforcement and intelligence work identifies specific operators and premises.

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How did the clinic manage to operate for eight months undetected?

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