Latest news with #bordersecurity
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Border control agency busts seven Afghans trying to enter Malaysia on forged visas
PUTRAJAYA, July 18 — Seven Afghan nationals have been detained by the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) for attempting to enter the country using forged visas. In a statement today, AKPS said the individuals were detected in two separate groups last Sunday morning and Tuesday night at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1. 'Acting on a tip-off, AKPS personnel at KLIA inspected their documents,' the statement said. Preliminary investigations revealed that the two groups, consisting of five adults and two children aged between 15 and 36, used fake visas believed to have been obtained from Uzbekistan. According to AKPS, they claimed to have fled Iran before making Malaysia their final destination. AKPS denied them entry for violating immigration regulations and using forged travel documents. 'This swift and effective action reflects AKPS's continued commitment to maintaining the highest standards of border security and affirms that the country's entry points will not be compromised by any attempt at illegal migration,' the statement added. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Border crime data shows drugs at heart of Malaysia's security threats, says home minister
PUTRAJAYA, July 16 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said that drug-related offences remain the most common crimes linked to national border security, based on findings from the National Border Security Index (IKSN). He said an analysis of 1.2 million crime records found that three key offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act dominated the data: Section 15(1) for drug consumption, Section 12(2) for small-scale possession, and Section 39C for repeat drug offences 'However, Section 39C in particular carries a mandatory sentence of five years' imprisonment and two strokes of the cane, with no further investigation required upon conviction following a urine test confirmation,' he told reporters in a press conference here today. He also said individuals arrested under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act — for drug consumption — were statistically more likely to be involved in up to 31 other types of criminal activity, including abduction, extortion, theft, and bribery. Meanwhile, those arrested under Section 12(2) — for small-scale drug possession — were found to have links to up to 11 other criminal offences. 'In other words, to solve other crimes in our country, we need to solve the drug problem first,' he said. Saifuddin added that authorities are monitoring 12 categories of border-related crimes and threats under the IKSN. These include human trafficking, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, smuggling of contraband goods, wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, terrorism, cybercrime, kidnapping for ransom, sea piracy, illegal fishing, and biosecurity threats. He said the data used for IKSN is compiled through a 'club system', in which agencies contribute information based on specific indicators. 'It's not just the police and immigration involved. Every agency with a role in border security is part of the system. They input data twice a year, and we compile it centrally,' he said. The IKSN, he added, was developed in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Public Security and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), and is based on verified data from 31 agencies using 54 indicators to provide a detailed assessment of Malaysia's border security.
Al Mayadeen
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Preliminary US-backed talks underway between 'Israel', Syria: Axios
The Trump administration has begun early discussions with "Israel" and Syria about a potential security agreement, US and Israeli officials told Axios, marking the first steps toward reducing tensions between the longtime adversaries. While formal normalization is not yet on the table, the talks aim to update border security arrangements and possibly pave the way for future diplomacy. Following the fall of the Assad government last year, Donald Trump announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria to support its reconstruction and reintegration. According to Axios, while the US envisions a gradual approach, "Israel" is looking for firm commitments that talks will lead to full normalization. Read more: Trump could bring Netanyahu, Syria's al-Sharaa to normalization talks In early June, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed to President Trump's Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, his interest in pursuing a US-brokered security agreement with Syria's post-Assad government. According to a senior Israeli official, Netanyahu envisions a phased approach, beginning with an updated version of the 1974 disengagement of forces agreement and eventually leading to a full peace treaty and diplomatic normalization. After Ahmad al-Sharaa took power in December, "Israel" launched a series of airstrikes that decimated Syria's remaining military assets, including its air force, navy, missile systems, and air defenses. "Israel" also seized control of the buffer zone and advanced into Syrian territory, occupying key areas such as the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, a strategic high point. Israeli officials now see their hold on these territories as critical bargaining chips and have made clear that any withdrawal will depend on Syria agreeing to a comprehensive "peace deal" and full normalization of relations. "Israel" is currently engaging with Syria through at least four separate channels: "National Security" Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, Mossad Director David Barnea, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar for political and strategic dialogue, and the Israeli occupation forces, which handle daily military coordination. Despite these ongoing lines of communication, Israeli officials are urging the US to take a more prominent mediating role, believing American involvement would encourage Syria's new leadership to engage more seriously. US and Israeli officials confirmed that Trump's Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, has maintained contact with Syrian counterparts since his visit to "Israel" in early June, aimed at exploring the launch of formal negotiations. "We are having very soft preliminary discussions. Diplomatic breakthroughs are like unwrapping an onion — we are peeling," a senior US official told Axios, adding that President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are fully supportive and that coordination between the US and "Israel" is strong. For now, the talks involve only mid-level officials and do not include Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, nor are there plans yet for a leaders' summit, according to a US official. Two senior Israeli officials acknowledged that while a deal is within reach, progress will be gradual. "We hope to see the Trump administration pushing more assertively on this track," one official said. One of the key unresolved issues in any potential Israeli-Syrian "peace deal" is the status of the Syrian Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that "Israel" occupied during the 1967 war. In past negotiations spanning three decades, the al-Assad regime consistently demanded full or near-full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan in exchange for "peace". During his first term, President Trump formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory, a controversial move that the Biden administration chose not to reverse. On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reaffirmed that while "Israel" is open to reaching an agreement with Syria, the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli control as part of any future deal. Ron Dermer, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "Israel's" minister for strategic affairs, is in Washington this week for meetings with senior White House officials, where the potential Syria agreement is expected to be on the agenda. Israeli officials say Netanyahu is also preparing for an upcoming visit to the White House, where Syria and broader regional developments will feature prominently in talks with President Trump.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Thomas Massie again one of two Republican 'no' votes on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie voted "no" — again — for the final passage of a sweeping national policy and spending bill backed by President Donald Trump. House Resolution 1, also labeled the "One Big, Beautiful Bill," is a massive piece of legislation that preserves tax cuts passed during Trump's first administration while also investing billions in border security and the U.S. military. It passed the House on a 218-214 vote July 3 and now heads to Trump's desk to be signed into law. Have thoughts to share? Send us a letter to the editor Massie, who has been a stark opponent of the legislation, was one of two Republican "no" votes, along with U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania. Earlier, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was one of three Republicans to oppose the bill, which passed through the Senate on a 51-50 vote July 1, after Vice President JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote. Massie had consistently spoken against the bill, saying he didn't believe it cut the federal deficit enough. His criticisms on the measure caught attention of Trump, who has targeted Massie in his upcoming May 2026 primary. While the bill has drawn massive support from Republicans, it drew heavy opposition from Democrats for its cuts to the Medicaid program and other measures. The rest of Kentucky's Republican federal delegation, including U.S. Reps. Hal Rogers, James Comer, Andy Barr and Brett Guthrie, voted in favor of the bill. U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, the lone Democratic representative from the Bluegrass State, voted "no." More: Proposed censure of Thomas Massie hints at divide in Kentucky GOP amid Trump feud "This Republican budget is a slap in the face to Kentucky and all of rural America," McGarvey said in a statement. "It will kick millions of Americans off their health insurance, take food away from Kentucky families, kids, and seniors, and add trillions to the national debt. All so that Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos pay even less in taxes." Barr, however, in a statement argued the bill will help Kentuckians. 'Today, Kentucky families, workers, and small businesses got a historic tax cut — jet fuel for our economy and a boost for Kentuckians still recovering after four years of Bidenflation," Barr said. "This is the latest and greatest chapter of the Trump economic comeback — and the theme is promises made, promises kept." This story could be updated. Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@ or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Massie again votes 'no' on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
