JOHOR police have arrested eight local individuals, including a wheelchair-bound man with partial paralysis and a woman, in connection with a robbery involving RM500,000 in cash outside a bank in Pasir Gudang.
Johor Police Chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the incident occurred around noon on 24 February in a car park near a bank at the Pasir Gudang Trade Centre. Police received a report of the robbery at approximately 1 p.m. the same day.
Initial investigations revealed that a 45-year-old Pakistani man had withdrawn RM500,000 in cash from the bank while accompanied by his wife.
The victim, who operates as a supplier of foreign workers, had intended to use the money to pay employees’ wages.
“As the victim approached his parked vehicle, he was confronted by two unidentified suspects, one of whom pointed an object resembling a pistol before seizing two bags containing RM500,000 and fleeing the scene,” Ab Rahaman said at a press conference at the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters.
Police subsequently launched an operation that led to the arrest of seven local men and one local woman aged between 23 and 53 at several locations in Seri Alam and Tampoi.
The suspects were apprehended within 24 hours of the robbery.
According to Ab Rahaman, the group comprised a 30-year-old businessman, two unemployed men aged 23 and 32, two mechanics aged 29 and 31, a 30-year-old food vendor, a 31-year-old businessman and a 53-year-old businesswoman of Pakistani descent.
“The 30-year-old businessman and the 32-year-old unemployed man are believed to be the main masterminds behind the robbery.
“The wheelchair-bound man, who is partially paralysed, is believed to have acted as an insider providing information related to the incident,” he said.
Police checks also revealed that two of the suspects have previous criminal and drug-related records. All suspects have been remanded until 10 March to assist in the investigation.
During the operation, authorities seized a Toyota Hilux four-wheel drive, a Perodua Myvi, two sets of falsified vehicle registration plates, two grey bags, a cap, a black face mask and a pair of white gloves believed to have been used in the robbery.
Investigators also recovered 25 bank deposit slips, 800 pieces of RM20 banknotes, 700 pieces of RM10 banknotes and eight transparent plastic packets containing RM50 banknotes.
Police further froze RM65,830 from a company account belonging to one of the suspects after part of the stolen money was deposited through a bank machine, in accordance with Section 116D of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Ab Rahaman said the total amount recovered was RM487,350, while the remainder had already been spent by members of the group for personal expenses, including accommodation.
The investigation papers have been referred to the Johor Prosecution Director’s Office, which has instructed that charges be filed.
Six suspects are expected to be charged in court on Friday under Section 399 of the Penal Code for preparation to commit robbery, Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery, Section 120B of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy, and Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 for possession of an imitation firearm.
Meanwhile, two suspects will be released and will serve as prosecution witnesses after being bound over under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code, he added. - March 5, 2026
