KUALA LUMPUR: Some 25 rat lanes have been detected in Perlis as of September this year, with authorities clamping down on illegal cross-border activity there, the Dewan Rakyat was told Monday (Oct 12).
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said agencies and other related enforcement bodies monitor these lanes.
He explained that enforcement effectiveness against cross-border crime routes is measured not only through arrests of unregistered foreign nationals passing through or confiscated goods.
“The main focus is to cripple the entire ecosystem comprising ringleaders, financers, recruits and their financial networks through the law.
“This includes the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007,” he said during question time on Monday (Oct 13).
According to him, confiscations at borders in Perlis last year amounted to RM6.57mil.
As of August this year, he said this amounted to RM6.52 mil.
Shamsul Anuar also reiterated that the ministry is developing a National Border Control System that will involve cross-agency data integration and smart monitoring systems.
“The system, which leverages artificial intelligence and data analytics, will allow monitoring to be carried out in real-time for both land and sea borders, with relevant information transmitted swiftly.
“The system’s integration, through a single-command centre, will connect information across various enforcement agencies to identify patterns suspicious activity and allow swift action to be taken,” he said.
Shamsul Anuar was responding to questions by Rushdan Rusmi (PN-Padang Besar) who asked about integrated measures to curb the use of illegal routes along the Perlis border for human trafficking, drug and contraband smuggling, including action against skippers, brokers, recruiters and the syndicates’ finance networks.
