Police seize RM1.4 million campers linked to GISB Holdings in cross-border probe

KUALA LUMPUR – Two campers affiliated with Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB Holdings), each worth RM700,000, were seized by police at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border yesterday.

The campers are registered to a person in Qatar, have Dubai license plates and were driven by members of GISB Holdings, although they are not owned by the company, Kedah Immigration said.

In a post on Facebook, the department said each camper can accommodate six to eight people.

Images of the vehicles, which bore the GISB Holdings logo, showed registration numbers X31337 and X37313.

The campers were reportedly taken to the Bukit Kayu Hitam border to renew their International Circulation Permit (ICP), which was about to expire.

One of the campers linked to GISB Holdings that was seized at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border yesterday. — Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia Negeri Kedah Facebook photo, September 19, 2024

“According to the Road Transport Authority (RTD) regulations, every vehicle must be physically present for inspection (for ICP renewal).

“RTD checks confirmed that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles were correct, and the ICP extension, valid for three months, could only be processed at the RTD border office,” it added.

Following a tip-off, law enforcement teams investigated the vehicles, which were expected to leave Malaysia via the Bukit Kayu Hitam border at around 3pm.

The two campers, containing five locals aged between 29 and 45, were found near the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex. The men had last traveled abroad through the same checkpoint on August 20.

While no immigration laws were broken, one of the men is believed to be the son of a GISB Holdings executive. Immigration confirmed it would cooperate with police as the investigation into the company continues.

While initial reports indicated that the vehicles were headed to Thailand, the ministry clarified that the campers were expected to return to GISB Holdings’ office in Jitra, Kedah after the ICP renewal process.

Meanwhile, an account under the name Anjang Muor, apparently linked to GISB Holdings, denied in a separate Facebook post that it planned to enter Thailand.

The report denied claims that members of the company were trying to “flee” with key assets or evidence, and confirmed that a son of GISB Holdings CEO Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali was among the five arrested.

The same account shared a video showing the campers at a Petronas station in Tapah, with a person asking viewers to “pray” for a safe journey.

A UAE registration certificate shared in the post identified the camper with registration number X37313 as belonging to a Malaysian, Mohd Ghazali Aripin.

Earlier today, police inspector Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the requests for remand for the five men have been approved by the Shah Alam court. The remand period ends on September 25.

The men are being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2022 (Atipsom) for human trafficking.

Nasiruddin was also detained along with his wife, two of their children and the son of late Al-Arqam sect leader Ashaari Mohammad following an early morning raid.

A total of 19 persons, including four daughters of Ashaari (one of whom is Nasiruddin’s wife), were arrested during the operation. The court remanded them all in custody for seven days.

The group is being investigated for multiple offences, including Section 32(a) of the Child Act 2001 for allowing a child to receive begging or alms, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network services and Section 14 of the Atipsom Act relating to child trafficking.

On September 11, police raided 20 nursing homes linked to GISB Holdings in Selangor and Negri Sembilan in a major operation dubbed Ops Global, arresting 171 people, including hostel managers and teaching staff.

Authorities also rescued 402 children aged one to 17 from the centres.

Health checks on 392 children revealed physical and emotional abuse and labour exploitation.

Four individuals linked to the company have since been charged with multiple crimes, including child sexual abuse and criminal harassment. – September 19, 2024

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