RANTAU PANJANG: Undocumented migrants are entering Malaysia through various routes, not just the Golok River, prompting the General Operations Force (GOF) to strengthen security along land and sea borders.
Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director (GOF) Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi said this was based on briefings from brigade representatives yesterday.
"Anyone arrested for entering the country through illegal routes will face enforcement action, followed by the relevant legal proceedings," he told reporters during a visit to the border today.
Suzrin said the GOF worked with state police contingents, district police stations, the Marine Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to detect and respond to border incursions within their respective areas of responsibility.
He said intelligence sharing was crucial to ensuring enforcement teams could act regardless of the entry points used.
On the use of technology, including drones, to detect incursions, he said the force relied on various intelligence sources, with personnel stationed at control posts and interception teams ready to respond to detected offences.
"Once an incident is identified, information will be channelled to all relevant personnel in the border area to enable immediate action," he said.
Suzrin said intelligence indicated that smuggling tactics were constantly evolving, with operations believed to involve land-based smugglers and other parties facilitating the activities.
"Various methods are being used to carry out incursions, so we must constantly improve our preparedness and strengthen cooperation among enforcement agencies," he said.
He added that the GOF would continue coordinating operations with the Kelantan police contingent and other contingents responsible for border areas, in line with directives from the police leadership.
On security along the East Coast, particularly the Golok River, Suzrin said the GOF's Southeast Brigade deployed three battalions based in Terengganu, Kuantan in Pahang, and Pengkalan Chepa in Kelantan.
He said the battalions operated according to established routines to maintain border security, alongside coordinated enforcement efforts in other parts of the country, including the northern states, Sabah, Sarawak, southern Peninsular Malaysia and maritime areas along the Straits of Malacca.
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