Kelantan police begin demolishing 223 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok in a two-month operation to curb cross-border smuggling activities.
PASIR MAS: All 223 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok, a known smuggling route on the Malaysia-Thailand border, are expected to be completely demolished within the next two months.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the pilot project began today with the first two locations being Pangkalan Gergaji and Pangkalan MCA in Rantau Panjang.
He revealed that 216 jetties were constructed illegally on government land, while seven others were privately owned jetties along Sungai Golok from Pangkalan Kubur to Tanah Merah.
“The demolition work will be carried out in stages due to limited machinery and is expected to be completed within one to two months,” he told reporters after inspecting the pilot demolition operation.
Mohd Yusoff said enforcement action for the seven jetties built on private land would follow after review and legal processes by local government authorities.
The operation resulted from nearly a year of planning that included engagement sessions with local communities along Sungai Golok.
“Alhamdulillah, after being informed, the local community now understands the government’s intention to curb cross-border crimes, including the smuggling of drugs, firearms, fuel, and other controlled goods into neighbouring countries,” he said.
The demolition operations will be jointly monitored by police and the State National Security Council, along with other relevant agencies.
Mohd Yusoff expressed hope that all parties would cooperate as the initiative aims to ensure the well-being, peace and security of communities living along the border. – Bernama
