BENTONG: Two foreigners paid a friend RM400 to obtain interstate travel forms to travel by express bus from Penang to Kuantan.
Their attempt at interstate travel was however foiled when the two, aged 24 and 27, were nabbed by the police, who found that their interstate travel permits were nothing more than photocopied documents.
Making matters worse, both were also detained for being illegal immigrants.
The incident occurred yesterday when policemen manning a Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) roadblock at the Bentong toll plaza stopped the express bus for inspection about 1.30pm.
District police chief Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar said all the passengers had the required travel documents. Policemen, however, had doubts upon examining the duo's travel permits.
"The documents appeared fake. Policemen contacted the police station which issued the forms and learnt that no interstate travel forms were approved. Investigations revealed both the forms were photocopied.
"The suspects told policemen they purchased the forms for RM200 each from a friend. Further checks showed they did not possess any valid travel documents," he said.
Zaiham said the case was being investigated under Section 420/511 of the Penal Code for attempted fraud and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959 for entering the country illegally.
He said Bentong police will beef up inspections at the Negri Sembilan and Selangor borders including the Bentong toll plaza ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"The Bentong toll plaza is the main route for those traveling from the Klang Valley to the east coast states so there may be an increase in traffic. Policemen on duty will be extra vigilant to ensure road users do not travel using fake permits," he said.