KUALA LUMPUR: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) have been instructed to focus on uncovering whether there are cases of the sale of fake Covid-19 certificates in other states.

       Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said Bukit Aman took the matter very seriously following the arrest of one suspect in Marang, Terengganu a few days ago.

       “We are not sure at this time whether there are others who are selling such vaccine certificates.

       “Thus I have instructed both the directors of CID and CCID to collect actionable intelligence to uncover whether such activities occur in other states as well,” he told reporters after attending the education and early skills for autistic students programme at the Royal Malaysia Police’s Autism Centre on Wednesday (July 12).

       The IGP noted that selling fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates must be curbed as it could hamper efforts to stop the spread of the virus.

       “We don’t want these irresponsible to jeopardise efforts to curb the spread of the virus,” he added.

       On Tuesday (Jan 11), Bukit Aman CCID director Comm Datuk Kamarudin Md Din said police had detected only one case of selling fake vaccine certificates so far, which was in Marang.

       He said a 51-year-old medical practitioner was arrested in that case, where he allegedly sold vaccine certificates without administering the vaccine.

       “The suspect has been remanded until Wednesday (Jan 12) to assist investigations.

       “So far there is only one case but we are gathering actionable intelligence and monitoring the situation closely to detect if there are individuals or groups selling fake vaccine certificates,” he said in a statement.

       Comm Kamarudin urged those with information on such activities to contact the nearest police station or CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 / 1599 so that investigations can commence.