KOTA BHARU: A total of 171 people were detained for involvement in illegal Malaysia-Thailand cross-border activities in Kelantan under Op Taring Wawasan from Jan 1-Aug 31.
General Operations Force (GOF) southeast brigade commander Senior Asst Comm Ahmad Radzi Hussain said that of the total, 110 were Malaysians, 58 were Thai nationals and one each from Indonesia, Myanmar (Rohingya) and Nigeria.
He said those arrested comprised 137 men and 34 women, all aged between 20 and 60, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"Among the factors that prompted them to use illegal routes were to avoid checks at legal entry and exit points, go on leisure trips, visit family members, problems with travel documents and entering Malaysia to work (for Thai nationals),” he told Bernama when contacted on Sunday (Sept 13).
SAC Ahmad Radzi said most of those detained usually entered or left Malaysia via illegal jetties by boat, with fares ranging from RM5 to RM10 depending on the time.
He said that monitoring revealed attempts to use ungazetted routes, as certain parties were taking the opportunity to help individuals cross the border without adhering to stipulated procedures.
"As such, we will continue to tighten controls and increase patrols in identified high-risk areas, especially along the Sungai Golok.
"Enforcement efforts will also focus on migrant smuggling activities and parties attempting to facilitate the illegal entry of foreign nationals,” he added.
He said the GOF would continue to strengthen border controls to curb encroachment, smuggling and illegal cross-border activities, in order to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty.- Bernama
