PASIR MAS: The General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade is tightening control along the Malaysia-Thailand border, particularly in Rantau Panjang, by installing concertina wire at three former illegal jetties demolished last October, despite unpredictable weather during the Northeast Monsoon.
Its commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the installation would cover several areas, including the MCA, Jeram Perdah and Tanjong illegal bases, with the Gergaji illegal base chosen as the first site for the initial phase.
"For the first phase, we have received an allocation of RM100,000 for the installation," he told reporters after inspecting preparations to instal the barriers along Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang on Wednesday (Nov 26).
Ahmad Radzi, however, said installation work at Pos Ibrahim Pencen and Pos Sharifah had to be postponed as the GOF control posts were submerged under 0.5 to more than one metre of floodwater.
"For the time being, we have had to suspend installation work due to the weather conditions. We will also ask the contractor to resume work once the situation improves," he said.
According to Ahmad Radzi, all government assets have been relocated to safer locations, while personnel remain stationed at the affected posts.
"If the situation worsens, our personnel will also be relocated," he said.
Ahmad Radzi added that both GOF assets and personnel are ready to be deployed to assist flood victims during the ongoing monsoon.
"We have prepared six boats, two lorries and four four-wheel-drive vehicles to aid the affected residents,” he said, adding that border controls remain heightened despite bad weather to prevent irresponsible parties from taking advantage.
A Bernama check at an illegal base found that water levels in Sungai Golok, Rantau Panjang, had surpassed the danger level, sparking fears among local residents of a potential overflow. - Bernama
