Yes, you read the staggering number in the headline correctly.

A total of 4,907 cars were stolen in the first five months of this year - 11.5 per cent more than last year.

These statistics were revealed by a top Malaysian cop on Monday at a cross-border seminar to crack down on the illegal car trade.

The more pressing reason for this, said Federal CID Director Datuk Christopher Wan, is that the stolen cars could be sold overseas and the proceeds used to fund worldwide terrorist and criminal operations.

"Thankfully, the car-smuggling syndicates in Malaysia have no links to the terrorist organisations," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after opening the First Regional Joint Course on Smuggling Stolen Vehicles, which involved the officers from the Malaysian and Thai police.

The cars, stolen in Malaysia, make up part of the 3 million stolen worldwide, based on figures from Interpol, said datuk Wan.

The trade is worth an estimated US$21b ($32b).

Datuk Wan said the car-smuggling trade could also bring security threats to developing countries.

He said most stolen cars are luxury models such as Mercedes-Benz or BMW because they are more in demand and have higher resale values in the international market.

Datuk Wan said 447 cars, which were stolen in Malaysia and sold overseas, are to be returned.