Janet in Other News On April 9, 2021, 11:26 pm

Forged Interstate Travel Permits Surface Online & Go Viral, Authorities Are Investigating

Two cases of forged interstate travel permits in a day

We are all looking forward to days when the interstate travel ban is lifted. But for now, if you have a valid reason to travel between states, you’ll be granted a police permit to do so. However, photos of interstate travel forms “pre-approved” by the police – with required information to be filled in left blank, have been circulating like wildfire on several social media platforms.

Forged permits for interstate travel

For the uninitiated, forms for interstate travel can be retrieved from police stations. And if reasons for travel are deemed valid by the police, they will sign and stamp on the form to grant the applicant permission to travel between states. All the applicant needs to do is to show the approved form at roadblocks manned by authorities.

On 8th April 2021, however, the first case of a netizen with a forged interstate travel form went viral. According to The Star, a photo was posted to Instagram, showing a blank pre-signed and stamped form. The signature on the form of the Chukai police station chief in Terengganu was forged, commented authorities.

Image credit: Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS

After police investigations were launched, the form was traced back to a woman who was permitted to travel from Terengganu to KL for a job interview. However, it is not reported when this form was previously used by the woman.

On the same day, another blank interstate travel permit that was “pre-signed and approved by the police” surfaced online, also on Instagram, as reported by Malay Mail.

Image credit: Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS

This second case, however, involved Shah Alam police station and another police officer’s name that was being falsely used. This case is now being investigated by the police as well.

Stern action will be taken against those who forge or use fake documents

Having 2 cases of forgery surface online in a single day is not a matter to be taken lightly and clearly violates the law, so Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has said on 9th April that stern action will be taken against authorities and citizens who rely on forged travel permits to travel between states, as reported by New Straits Times.

Two cases of forged interstate travel permits in a single day

While it’s shocking to hear that people would forge documents just to travel to another state, these 2 cases aren’t the first of their kind. There had been several cases that occurred in 2020, and the individuals involved were brought to court.

With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Malaysia again, we should shelve any non-essential travel plans, instead of breaking the law to feed our wanderlust. Let’s all do our part so we can travel freely again without risking the spread of COVID-19 to states where cases have been dwindling down.