PETALING JAYA: Two motorhomes driven by five men allegedly linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) were reportedly brought to the border to renew soon-to-expire International Circulation Permits (ICPs), according to the Kedah Immigration.
In a statement posted on the department's Facebook page on Wednesday (Sept 19), it said no immigration law violations were found, but it decided to closely collaborate with the police as further investigations into GISB are underway.
"According to information from the Immigration Department, the GISB vehicles were expected to exit Malaysia through the Bukit Kayu Hitam border around 3pm and were scheduled to stop near the complex.
"Upon receiving this information, enforcement teams acted quickly by investigating and locating two motorhomes carrying five individuals.
"An initial inspection revealed that all five individuals were Malaysian citizens aged between 29 and 45. A check of their travel records showed their last journey abroad was on Aug 20 through the same border checkpoint," it said.
It was earlier reported that one of the five arrested near the Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint is believed to be the son of a GISB leader.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said all five have been remanded for a week.
The department said after the motorhomes entered the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex, it carried out a thorough inspection of the individuals involved.
"The police then took over the case, detaining one of them for further investigation, while the others were handed over to the authorities for subsequent action," it said.
The motorhomes were reportedly brought to the border to renew the soon-to-expire ICPs.
"According to Road Transport Department's (JPJ) regulations, vehicles must be physically present for inspection.
"JPJ's inspection revealed the vehicle's chassis and engine numbers were in good condition, and the ICP renewal can only be processed at the JPJ office near the border, with a validity period of three months," it said, adding that once the process is completed, the vehicles were expected to head to GISB Darul Aman in Jitra, Kedah, for the night.
The department said initial reports stated that the vehicle was registered under an individual in Qatar, not GISB, and carried Dubai license plates with an estimated value of RM700,000.
Each motorhome can accommodate six to eight people at a time.
The department issued the statement following a viral post alleging that several GISB members had attempted to flee to Thailand with company assets.
"This has sparked concerns among the public about the possibility of important company assets and related evidence being taken out of Malaysia," it said, adding that it was ready to collaborate with other agencies to ensure the security and integrity of the country's borders.
