Not your average holiday money! Singapore-bound couple caught with nearly RM3m in cash at Johor checkpoint

Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir (centre) displays images of the cash and vehicle seized from a couple suspected of attempting to smuggle nearly RM3 million in Malaysian and Singapore currencies out of the country. — Picture by Ben Tan

By Ben Tan

First Published: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026 2:32 PM MYT

Last Modified: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026 2:41 PM MYT

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 28 — A couple was detained by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) after allegedly attempting to take nearly RM3 million in Malaysian and Singapore currency into Singapore without declaring the cash at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) here yesterday.

Their attempt was thwarted when AKPS officers stopped their vehicle for inspection at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at 11.40am as they were heading towards Woodlands in Singapore.

The couple, aged 41 and 42, were detained for investigation.

AKPS deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said the couple were travelling in a white Toyota Alphard multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) bearing Malaysian registration plates when they were stopped by three agency officers.

“Further checks were conducted after the driver behaved in a suspicious manner when questioned. He was later instructed to open the storage compartment and the passenger seating area for a comprehensive search.

“The search uncovered RM1,971,697 and S$300,000 in cash, kept in three boxes, a black backpack, and a paper bag,” he told reporters at the BSI complex here today.

Nasaruddin said the couple, both involved in business, claimed they were travelling from Johor to Singapore for a holiday.

However, he said the agency was still investigating the actual reason for transporting the cash into Singapore.

“At present, the seized funds have not been declared and are subject to investigation by the relevant agencies, including the Customs Department,” he said.

He added that the cash and vehicle had been seized and would be handed over to the Customs Department for further action.

Nasaruddin said preliminary checks found no record of previous wrongdoing involving the couple.

He added that the couple would be remanded today, with the case being investigated under Regulation 55(1)(b) of the Customs Regulations 2019.

“Travellers carrying cash exceeding the set limit, which is an amount equivalent to more than US$10,000 (approximately RM40,000), are required to declare it to the authorities.