Cops probe alleged misconduct by border personnel

The Star

16-05-2025

KOTA BARU: The police have received information regarding alleged abuse of power involving border enforcement personnel, says Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat ( pic ).
Preliminary information indicated possible misconduct related to smuggling, including livestock, he added.
'A special task force has been formed and investigations are underway by the Kelantan police intelligence division,' he told reporters after the monthly assembly at the Kelantan police contingent headquarters yesterday.
This announcement follows the Kelantan police's decision to tighten border security in order to curb cattle smuggling ahead of Hari Raya Haji, in response to reports of anthrax-related deaths in Thailand.
Mohd Yusoff said his department is working closely with relevant agencies, including the Veterinary Services Department and border authorities, to prevent the illegal entry of livestock into the country.
The deaths have been linked to the slaughter and consumption of raw meat in Don Tan district, Mukdahan province, Thailand, which borders Laos, according to a report by Thailand's Department of Disease Control.
'Kelantan police will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, patrols and inter-agency cooperation to safeguard national security and combat smuggling,' he added, according to Bernama.
Mohd Yusoff also reminded operators and livestock farmers not to bring cattle along illegal routes and to use only authorised checkpoints at the ICQS Complex to ensure proper health screening is conducted.
He stressed that livestock smuggling harms the local livestock industry and poses a risk of spreading infectious diseases to humans.
Mohd Yusoff said that the Border Security Coordination Committee's Working Group Meeting, in collaboration with the National Security Council, has recognised the necessity to strengthen enforcement measures against livestock smuggling activities.
In 36 cases between 2024 and April 2025, the General Operations Force (GOF) seized a total of 390 cows and 25 buffaloes, valued at nearly RM4mil.
In another development, RM2.64mil worth of ornamental plants and a lorry were seized by the General Operations Force (GOF) in Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas.
GOF Southeast Brigade Com­mander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made by a team from Battalion 9 from a lorry during a patrol on Wednesday.
He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle.
'These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process,' he said in a statement.
It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes.
However, they can cause the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control.
Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167).
The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Depart­ment for further action, including a health analysis of the plants, he added.