Latest news with #SungaiGolok
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Kelantan police to demolish 128 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok to curb cross-border crimes
TUMPAT, Aug 11 — A total of 128 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok, stretching from Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat, to Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, will be demolished by local authorities (PBT) following approval from the state government. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the move is part of efforts to strengthen border control and curb cross-border crimes between Malaysia and Thailand. 'The demolition of these jetties is expected to completely eliminate the use of illegal routes in the area and help prevent cross-border criminal activities. 'We estimate the cost to demolish each jetty will range between RM2,000 and RM5,000. The operation will be carried out in cooperation with various agencies,' he told reporters after conducting border inspections in Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor today. He added that ongoing border inspections have successfully reduced the use of these illegal entry points by up to 20 per cent. 'To further strengthen border control, two new posts in Jeram Perdah, which have been fully completed, will soon be staffed by members of the General Operations Force (GOF) after receiving approval from the director of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). These posts will be known as JP1 and JP2. 'Currently, six old control posts remain operational, while six more are under construction, and several outdated posts have already been demolished,' he said. In a related development, Mohd Yusoff added that police have submitted a proposal to the Home Ministry for eight additional control posts - two each in the Rantau Panjang and Jeram Perdah sectors, and four in Pengkalan Kubor, including Pulau Tengkorak. He also noted that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for border monitoring is not feasible here due to the narrow width of Sungai Golok, where smugglers can cross quickly by boat in just seconds. On June 19, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that various proposals are being explored to enhance the country's border security, including the construction of a wall along the high-risk Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan. He stressed that border security remains a government priority, as the area is often used for smuggling drugs and poses potential security threats if left unchecked. — Bernama
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
ChatGPT said:Kelantan police to demolish 128 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok to curb cross-border crimes
TUMPAT, Aug 11 — A total of 128 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok, stretching from Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat, to Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, will be demolished by local authorities (PBT) following approval from the state government. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the move is part of efforts to strengthen border control and curb cross-border crimes between Malaysia and Thailand. 'The demolition of these jetties is expected to completely eliminate the use of illegal routes in the area and help prevent cross-border criminal activities. 'We estimate the cost to demolish each jetty will range between RM2,000 and RM5,000. The operation will be carried out in cooperation with various agencies,' he told reporters after conducting border inspections in Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor today. He added that ongoing border inspections have successfully reduced the use of these illegal entry points by up to 20 per cent. 'To further strengthen border control, two new posts in Jeram Perdah, which have been fully completed, will soon be staffed by members of the General Operations Force (GOF) after receiving approval from the director of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID). These posts will be known as JP1 and JP2. 'Currently, six old control posts remain operational, while six more are under construction, and several outdated posts have already been demolished,' he said. In a related development, Mohd Yusoff added that police have submitted a proposal to the Home Ministry for eight additional control posts - two each in the Rantau Panjang and Jeram Perdah sectors, and four in Pengkalan Kubor, including Pulau Tengkorak. He also noted that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for border monitoring is not feasible here due to the narrow width of Sungai Golok, where smugglers can cross quickly by boat in just seconds. On June 19, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that various proposals are being explored to enhance the country's border security, including the construction of a wall along the high-risk Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan. He stressed that border security remains a government priority, as the area is often used for smuggling drugs and poses potential security threats if left unchecked. — Bernama
Malay Mail
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Dikir barat singer Eda Ezrin walks free after Thai court clears drug charges
KOTA BHARU, Aug 6 — Dikir barat singer Wan Norshaheeda Azlin, better known as Eda Ezrin, was released today after being held for more than nine months at Narathiwat Central Prison in Thailand. The Narathiwat prison court freed the 30-year-old singer along with her husband and four others at about 11am local time, Berita Harian reported. They were released after Thai prosecutors failed to produce witnesses or evidence to support their appeal against an earlier acquittal. The six were originally arrested by Sungai Golok police on November 1 last year during a raid at a hotel, where they were accused of possessing 6,059 Yaba pills. On March 6, the Narathiwat Provincial Court acquitted Eda, her husband Mohd Affendi Ahmad, 35, and their friends Eridieka Mohd Noor, 33, Mohamad Alif Deraman, 33, Nur Aida Mamat, 33, and Zuhaira Nasrin, 26, after hearings held in February. Despite the acquittal, prosecutors filed five successive appeals to delay the release — the first from March 6 to April 6, followed by four more until August 6. When the prosecution failed to substantiate their case during the extended appeal period, the court dismissed the case and ordered their release. Eda's father, Wan Ismail Wan Yusuf, 52, said the family was grateful and would hold a thanksgiving prayer and feast at a nearby mosque tomorrow night to celebrate her freedom.
Malay Mail
17-07-2025
- Malay Mail
GOF: Illegal crossings persist along Kelantan-Thai border with over 100 active bases detected
KOTA BHARU, July 17 — More than 100 illegal bases detected still exist along the Kelantan-Thailand border despite intensified enforcement and the closure of illegal routes since December last year, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the country's border security. General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the illegal bases are located in the districts of Tumpat, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah, which serve as key routes for unauthorised cross-border activities. 'The terrain and the proximity of these illegal bases to public settlements make continuous monitoring challenging,' he told Bernama recently. He said that between Jan 1 and July 14 this year, 71 individuals were arrested for illegally crossing the border via Sungai Golok. The group comprised 54 men and 17 women from Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan and Myanmar. All arrests were made under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, involving 42 Malaysians, 26 Thais, two Pakistanis and one Myanmar national. Nik Ros Azhan said most of the arrests took place along the banks of Sungai Golok, which was previously the main route for residents on both sides of the border. 'Although the closure order was issued some time ago, there are still individuals who try to take advantage of these illegal routes without considering the security and legal risks,' he said. He added that some of those detained claimed they only intended to cross briefly to shop, visit relatives, or for leisure, while others were seeking employment in informal sectors such as construction, plantations, and restaurants. In addition, some arrests were related to the smuggling of subsidised goods. Since Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat ordered the closure of illegal jetties and bases in December 2024, residents with relatives across the border have been forced to use the official route through the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex - even for minor matter The move has also impacted boat operators along Sungai Golok, who now face a lack of customers as people are no longer willing to cross the border freely. Nik Ros Azhan emphasised that the GOF, together with other security agencies, will continue to strengthen border control to safeguard the country's sovereignty. 'Anyone wishing to enter the neighbouring country must use legal routes and comply with the established immigration laws,' he said. On July 5, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan reiterated the need for stronger border enforcement through increased manpower, enhanced security assets, and integrated cooperation among all relevant agencies. He added that the presence of numerous illegal routes along the Kelantan-Thailand border remains a serious national security concern. — Bernama pic
Malay Mail
11-06-2025
- 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
