Closure of ungazetted routes cuts drug smuggling into Kelantan by 65%, say cops
KOTA BARU: Drug smuggling into Kelantan has dropped by 65 per cent following the closure of ungazetted routes along Sungai Golok on the Malaysia-Thailand border since December last year, according to Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat.
He said the decline was the result of close cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand, and added that such commitment should be extended to tackling other forms of cross-border crime.
He said tight land border controls have forced syndicates to change tactics by smuggling drugs via sea routes, as evident from a recent case involving a seizure worth more than RM13mil in Perlis.
"Thailand has also welcomed this initiative as it helps curb the drug flow into their country as well. Drugs coming from the Golden Triangle area, such as Laos, usually pass through Thailand before entering our country.
"The fight against drug-related crime is not just a task, but a major moral responsibility. This is my jihad. Although I have received threats, I see this as a trust placed upon me, and we will continue to act firmly,' he said.
He said this during a press conference after attending the 2025 Kelantan Police Chief Town Hall Discussion Programme titled "Cakna Remaja: Elak Gejala Sosial, Bina Masa Depan" at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan here Tuesday (June 3).
Mohd Yusoff also called for enhanced enforcement along coastal and maritime areas to curb syndicates turning to sea routes as alternative smuggling channels.
He said the smuggling crackdown had caused prices of "pil kuda" (methamphetamine pills) to drop drastically.
"The drugs currently being sold are from old stock before the border closures were implemented. For example, pil kuda is now sold at RM5 or RM6 per pill compared to RM11 previously,' he said.
According to him, the available stock is old and has degraded in quality or expired. - Bernama
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She said the recent rise in cases across Selangor, Johor, Perak and other states is a reminder for the public to remain vigilant, not just in hospitals but as a community. 'We are monitoring the situation closely with our paediatric teams, nurses and the infection control unit are working hand-in-hand to support parents and manage cases safely and efficiently,' she said. She said by staying informed and adopting preventive measures, the public can collectively reduce the transmission of the disease and safeguard their children's health. 'Together, we can protect our children and reduce transmission by adhering to the guidelines,' she said, adding that parents and caregivers should consult healthcare professionals if they have any inquiries. Ch'ng said the highly contagious viral infection, predominantly affecting children under five, typically presents with fever, sore throat, reduced appetite, painful oral ulcers and rash on the hands, feet and occasionally buttocks. She said that although most cases are mild, with recovery within seven to 10 days, a small number of cases, usually linked to the EV71 virus strain, might lead to complications such as viral meningitis, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and cardiopulmonary complications. 'The good news is that these complications remain very rare,' she said. She said most children recover without complications, but consulting a doctor is paramount if the child exhibits symptoms such as refusal to eat or drink due to the risk of dehydration, high fever above 39 degrees Celsius that lasts more than two days and lethargy, irritability or altered consciousness. 'Severe cases may require hospitalisation for intravenous hydration, antipyretics, and close neurological monitoring,' she said. 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SMC's Children's Health and Development Centre is home to 50 paediatric consultants and surgeons, offering expertise across 26 paediatric subspecialties, including neonatology, paediatric cardiology, neurology, oncology, gastroenterology and endocrinology, the highest number in any private hospital in Malaysia. The healthcare provider also features Malaysia's first dedicated Children's Emergency Department in a private hospital, offering personalised care for young patients. SMC was named the top hospital in paediatric in Malaysia in the Best Specialised Hospitals Asia Pacific Newsweek 2024 rankings and was also conferred with other international recognitions, including top 250 hospitals globally in Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals rankings for two consecutive years and Hospital of the Year (Malaysia) Award at the Healthcare Asia Awards for four consecutive years.
