KOTA BHARU, Kelantan: The bold act by smuggling syndicates in trespassing and cutting through the concertina barbed wire structure along the Malaysia-Thailand border is clear evidence that they are becoming increasingly brazen in defying the law and authorities.
Kelantan Police Chief, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, said the syndicates deliberately sabotaged the physical barrier that had been officially installed by security forces to curb cross-border crime.
He said findings from a recent working visit revealed that four locations along a 1.5-kilometre stretch of barbed wire from Rantau Panjang towards Tumpat had been cut by smuggling groups.
“Police have taken swift action by repairing all damaged sections to ensure that the country’s border defence is not compromised.
“Following the sabotage of this national security asset, police wasted no time in launching enforcement action to track down those responsible,” he told BERNAMA recently.
He confirmed that several residents living near the border had been arrested after being identified as directly linked to the cutting of the wire.
“This firm action is meant to send a clear message that the police will not tolerate any parties colluding with smuggling syndicates,” he said.
On the scope of the barrier installation, he said the RM100,000 concertina barbed wire structure is currently in the Rantau Panjang area and has yet to be installed in other border areas such as Jeli or Tanah Merah.
Yusoff said the physical barrier is only a temporary measure pending the construction of a permanent security wall and fence approved by the government, with its timeline tied to the completion of the Integrated River Basin Development project.
To curb smuggling activities during this period, he said police will utilise an additional RM100,000 allocation from the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department to extend the installation of concertina wire by another kilometre towards Tumpat, while continuing to seek further funding from the government in stages.
In April, border enforcement agencies were empowered to detain and charge individuals found cutting the barbed wire installed along the Malaysia-Thailand border to curb smuggling activities.
It was earlier reported that General Operations Force Southeast Brigade commander, SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain, said those arrested could be charged with mischief involving property damage.
He said there have been recent incidents of barbed wire along the border being cut by smugglers, prompting intensified monitoring in identified hotspots.
Security control along the Kelantan-Thailand border spans about 163 kilometres, with 91 kilometres along the Sungai Golok stretch. Monitoring covers several key districts, including Tumpat, Rantau Panjang (Pasir Mas), Tanah Merah and Jeli.
A ban on illegal cross-border movement via illegal jetties along the Malaysia-Thailand border, particularly in the Sungai Golok area, has been in force since December 1, 2024. – BERNAMA
