ALOR SETAR: The fight against cross-border crime is being stepped up with the Home Ministry mobilising its full range of resources to tighten control at the land and maritime borders.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) said the government is responsible for safeguarding the security of the borders in areas such as Langkawi, which has several hotspots for smuggling activities and the landing of illegal immigrants.
“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 yesterday, Bernama reported.
Saifuddin Nasution was inspecting border operations in the northern region covering Teluk Ewa and Telaga Harbour in Langkawi over a two-day work visit, starting Friday, to assess operational readiness and strengthen enforcement efforts to combat leakage and smuggling of controlled goods.
He said the visit was to observe and provide moral support to personnel stationed at border control posts.
He added that to address leakages, losses and smuggling involving diesel and petrol, it is important to monitor the country’s borders.
“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.”
Saifuddin Nasution said data from April 13 to April 21 showed a 20% drop in RON95 sales, while RON97 sales increased, indicating that the strategy is effective.
“In Kedah, up until April 22, we recorded 58 cases 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.
On another issue, he said a special pass for international sailors is being considered to address limitations under the current social visit pass.
The existing duration of 30- or 90-day stay does not align with the time required for yacht maintenance or repairs, which is a common issue faced by international sailors, he noted.
“If they are given a standard social visit pass but their yachts require longer maintenance, the pass may expire and create difficulties.
“We are looking at the possibility of introducing a specific pass to facilitate this, and I am inclined towards that.
“I will discuss this with the Immigration director-general and, if necessary, seek advice from the Attorney General to determine which provisions or regulations can be applied.”
Saifuddin Nasution said sailors are among high-value tourists with significantly higher spending power compared with other visitor groups, generating wider economic benefits across sectors.
“For example, Chinese tourists spend about RM7,000 in Langkawi, while visitors from West Asia spend around RM11,000. However, sailors spend far more, reaching up to seven-figure amounts.
“They can be considered Grade A tourists, with high spending that delivers economic benefits felt even at the grassroots level. So we will look at ways to make things easier for them,” he said.
