The home ministry will mobilise all its resources to strengthen control over the country’s land and maritime borders against cross-border crime threats.
ALOR SETAR: The Home Ministry will mobilise all its resources to strengthen control over the country’s land and maritime borders against cross-border crime threats.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this involves the Royal Malaysia Police, General Operations Force, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department and the Malaysian Armed Forces.
“The government is responsible for safeguarding the security of the country’s waters and land borders, including areas such as Langkawi, which has several hotspots for smuggling activities and the landing of foreign nationals.
“We have equipment to support operations, including radar systems that serve as our eyes and ears. If suspicious movement patterns are detected and confirmed, we will deploy available assets to safeguard Langkawi,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, he inspected border operations in the northern region covering Teluk Ewa and Telaga Harbour in Langkawi over two days starting yesterday, to assess operational readiness and strengthen enforcement efforts to combat leakage and smuggling of controlled goods.
Saifuddin Nasution said he personally visited the area to observe and provide moral support to personnel stationed at border control posts.
“Our commitment is to act to the best of our ability. That is why we will utilise all resources under the Home Ministry, and in some areas, the Armed Forces are also involved. Only by mobilising all these resources and assets can we carry out our duties effectively,” he said.
He added that to address leakages, losses and smuggling involving diesel and petrol, the Home Ministry plays an important role in monitoring the country’s borders.
“Ops Tiris is currently being implemented. The West Asian crisis has impacted supply and prices. The government assures that efforts will be made to ensure sufficient supply, while prices are maintained through the current subsidy approach.
“Police have been instructed to assist the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in monitoring petrol stations near border areas. There are about 170 stations, and 91 of them show high sales volumes,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said that since police assistance began from April 13 to 21, accumulated data showed a 20% drop in RON95 sales, while RON97 sales increased, indicating that the strategy implemented is effective.
“In Kedah, up to April 22, we recorded 58 cases under Ops Tiris involving 33,586 seized items, with a total value of nearly RM122,000.
“There are diesel users exploiting subsidies using Fleet Card to purchase diesel and sell it to syndicates, which then resell it to factories at higher prices. In Kedah, foiled diesel smuggling amounted to over RM101,000, while petrol accounted for more than RM10,000, along with cooking oil, coarse sugar and wheat flour,” he said.
