JITRA: Police in Kedah will not compromise with residents who are involved in assisting smugglers at the country’s borders and warn that stern action will be taken against those who do so.
Kedah police chief Comm Datuk Adzli Abu Shah (pic) advised residents living near the border to work closely with the authorities by channelling information related to the smuggling of banned items to help curb such activities.
"We will not compromise, we will arrest the residents if there is evidence of their involvement in border smuggling activities," he said after an asset forfeiture handover here on Sunday (Oct 26).
"So, I want to warn residents living near the border to cooperate with us and abide by the law.
"If you have any information, relay it to us… the informant’s identity will be kept confidential."
Following asset forfeitures conducted under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, the authorities handed over 16 seized vehicles.
Two cars were presented to SMK Hosba here, while seven motorcycles each went to SMK Parit Panjang in Baling and the Giat Mara Training Centre in Pendang.
The vehicless will be used in practical training in teaching technical, mechanical and maintenance skills.
Comm Adzli said police would continue to streamline monitoring and control at the country’s borders, including the entry points at the Bukit Kayu Hitam and Kota Putra, Padang Terap Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes so that they are not used as alternative smuggling routes.
He expressed concern that the demolition of illegal jetties in Kelantan and the tight control by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) may result in criminals shifting their operations to the two border entry points in Kedah.
"We do not want Bukit Kayu Hitam and Kota Putra to become an alternative route, meaning that when we tighten up other areas, suddenly we become an alternative route,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also said police have yet to receive any reports of thefts involving homes left vacant during the floods that hit the state recently.
However, he asked the public to trust the police, who are responsible for maintaining public order and safeguarding property, and to comply with evacuation orders for their safety and that of their families. – Bernama
