Kelantan police chief warns of smuggling, corruption and evolving tactics along porous Malaysia-Thailand border despite enforcement efforts
KOTA BHARU: The Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan continues to test national security capabilities against smuggling and cross-border crime.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat (pic) identified internal threats including corruption among enforcement personnel as significant challenges.
“We will take uncompromising action, whether they are General Operations Force members or civilians,” he told Bernama.
“They are traitors to the country.”
He referenced a recent KLIA arrest where an officer facilitated illegal entry as evidence of infiltration risks.
The 551-kilometre land border includes 95 kilometres along the Golok River with numerous illegal crossing points.
“Smugglers on both sides simply wait for an opening and cross using small boats,” Mohd Yusoff explained.
Seasonal river changes complicate enforcement, becoming shallow enough to walk across during dry periods.
Authorities are demolishing 233 illegal jetties from Pengkalan Kubor to Jeli in a two-month operation.
Since December’s border-crossing ban via illegal routes, illegal entry dropped by nearly 90%.
Entertainment centre activity in Sungai Golok plunged 85% following the restrictions.
Smuggling persists in both directions with Malaysians bringing cheaper goods from Thailand.
Thai nationals smuggle controlled items like diesel, cooking oil, sugar and rice into Thailand.
Price differences and market demand remain primary drivers despite increased security.
Authorities recorded 1,335 contraband seizures worth over RM275 million between January and September.
They arrested 104 individuals for illegal crossings during the same period.
Mohd Yusoff advocated accelerating construction of a RM1.5 billion security wall along the border.
The wall would also function as flood mitigation during monsoon seasons.
“For security but to defend national sovereignty,” he emphasised.
Maritime Director Capt. Erwan Shah Soahdi identified 10 smuggling hotspots from Pantai Geting to Tok Bali.
Smugglers use sophisticated methods including lookouts stationed near Pulau Tengkorak.
“They observe from a distance and alert smugglers before patrols arrive,” Erwan Shah noted.
Syndicates employ high-speed boats capable of landing and departing within minutes.
Some use ropes to pull boats across at night to avoid engine detection.
The Kelantan Maritime Agency plans to install radar systems along the East Coast.
A new four-hectare maritime post on Pulau Tengkorak will improve response times next year.
Integrity remains crucial with monitoring efforts including body-worn camera proposals.
Mohd Yusoff acknowledged only a small number of officers engage in misconduct.
“In any force, not everyone is the same,” he stated. – Bernama
