A 29-YEAR-OLD Myanmar national allegedly rented a luxury vehicle to collect two compatriots who had recently slipped into Malaysia through the border, leading to the arrest of 13 Myanmar nationals in Kubang Pasu.
Police tracked the white Toyota Alphard from Changlun town before stopping it outside a motel at about 2pm on Aug 14.
Questioning of the driver subsequently led police to two adjacent motels, where 10 more Myanmar nationals were arrested.
Kubang Pasu district police chief Superintendent Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahim said the two women found in the Alphard were believed to have recently entered Malaysia and had been collected from the Felda Bukit Tangga area near Bukit Kayu Hitam.
“An inspection of the first motel led to the arrest of six Myanmar men and two women who were in a room on the first floor.
“Checks were then continued at the motel next door, where another Myanmar man and woman were arrested,” he told a press conference at the Kubang Pasu District Police Headquarters today.
All 13 individuals, including the driver, aged between 20 and 35, were unable to produce valid travel documents.
Police checks found that the white Alphard had been rented from a car rental company in Kuala Lumpur.
“The vehicle is believed to have been used to transport and pick up migrants and has been seized for further investigation,” Mohd Radzi said.
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), as well as Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
All the suspects have been remanded until Sept 12. - September 1, 2026