Latest news with #SungaiGolok
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Kelantan police propose border wall to curb smuggling activities
KOTA BARU, June 11 — A permanent wall or fence along the Kelantan–Thailand border is viewed as the most effective solution to combat persistent smuggling activities in the state, said Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat. He said the 45-kilometre border stretch remains too exposed, making comprehensive enforcement challenging. 'For that entire stretch, we have only eight control posts. Naturally, there are many gaps that continue to be exploited by smugglers,' he said. 'In my opinion, only the construction of a complete border wall can effectively address this issue,' he told reporters at a press conference held in conjunction with the Kelantan Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department's (NCID) 2025 Case Disposal event at the state police headquarters here today. Mohd Yusoff added that the proposal to construct the wall had been submitted to the relevant authorities some time ago. He also noted a shift in drug trafficking trends in Kelantan, with smugglers now preferring to bring in smaller quantities compared to the large consignments seen previously. This change, he said, followed tighter enforcement and restrictions on cross-border movement through illegal entry points along Sungai Golok. 'Previously, we made large seizures. Now, traffickers are more cautious and smuggle in smaller amounts. Still, yaba pills remain the most in-demand drug in the state,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia allocates RM3bil for Sungai Golok project
Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said funding for the project would include building a security wall under the National Security Council. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Malaysia has allocated nearly RM3 billion for the Golok river mouth improvement project, says deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof. Bernama reported that this is a strategic cross-border initiative with Thailand aimed at mitigating flood risks, safeguarding local communities and enhancing national security. Fadillah said the total funding for the project would include building a security wall under the National Security Council. 'We have informed the Thai government that Malaysia has approved a location for dredging works, while simultaneously undertaking improvements to Sungai Golok, including the construction of a river wall. 'This is not merely a flood mitigation initiative but also a security measure,' he said in Bangkok at the end of his four-day working visit to Thailand. He said parts of the project were awaiting final approval from the Thai authorities. The estimated timeline for completion is three years from the commencement date. On another issue, Fadillah said Tenaga Nasional Bhd and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand had completed feasibility studies on a plan to upgrade their existing power interconnection facilities between the two nations. He said both countries had acknowledged that the interconnection, commissioned in the early 2000s, was ageing and in need of an upgrade. He said this interconnection upgrade will secure cross-border electricity exchanges and lay the groundwork for future multilateral electricity trade under the Asean Power Grid initiative.
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Fadillah: Cross-border push to end Sungai Golok floods as Malaysia, Thailand advance river improvement project
BANGKOK, May 23 — Malaysia has undertaken extensive measures under the Cross-Border Collaboration initiative with Thailand through the Golok River Mouth Improvement Project to mitigate frequent flooding and improve the quality of life for communities along Sungai Golok. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the river, which forms a natural border between Malaysia and Thailand, has long been prone to flooding, severely affecting local communities. 'Mitigating floods at the Sungai Golok estuary necessitates a blend of engineering solutions, environmental management, and policy measures to address sedimentation, regulate water flow, and reduce flood risks,' he said. To tackle these challenges, he said the Malaysian government has implemented comprehensive initiatives as part of the Cross-Border Collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand. Fadillah, who is also the Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said this during a courtesy call on Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong at the Government House on Friday, held in conjunction with his three-day working visit to Thailand. He said the agreements between the governments of Malaysia and Thailand on the Golok River Mouth Improvement Project have been in place since 1997 through the Joint Evaluation Team (JET), the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG), and the Joint Steering Committee (JSC). 'To mitigate the impact and risks of flooding during the monsoon season, Malaysia plans to conduct dredging at the Sungai Golok estuary and construct a river dyke or groyne by the end of 2025, subject to approval of the JTWG and the Thai government,' he said. He also said both countries agreed during the 40th JTWG meeting to continue discussions in the upcoming JET and JTWG meetings, with updates to be presented at the next JSC meeting later this year. Fadillah said that Malaysia is set to complete a post-monsoon sedimentation survey by April 2025 and highlighted that the sediment levels have exceeded the Tidal Mean Sea Level (TMSL) threshold, necessitating dredging activities. He also said that Malaysia has secured funding for the additional scope of work planned. Meanwhile, Prasert, who is also the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, welcomed Malaysia's initiative and confirmed that his ministry has coordinated with Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to support project implementation. During his official visit to Thailand in April, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Construction Agreement (CA) for the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok Bridge Project. The project is expected to significantly enhance connectivity, trade, and relations between the two nations. In 2024, Thailand ranked as Malaysia's seventh-largest trading partner globally and third-largest within ASEAN, with total trade amounting to US$25.03 billion (RM114.56 billion). — Bernama
