Strict Border Security Enforcement leave Rantau Panjang Parking Areas Deserted

KOTA BHARU, June 12 (Bernama) -- Parking areas around the Rantau Panjang border in Pasir Mas, once packed with cars belonging to locals crossing into Thailand, are now reported to be quiet and nearly deserted. 

The drastic change is clear evidence of the effectiveness of firm action taken by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in Kelantan, which has tightened controls and enforced border shutdown along the Sungai Golok stretch. 

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the situation was observed through daily monitoring and surveys conducted by the Special Branch in the area. 

“In the past, people would say parking areas at the Rantau Panjang border and surrounding locations were packed. Now, based on our daily surveys, they are no longer congested,” he told Bernama recently. 

He said the almost empty parking areas are in line with a sharp decline in the number of Malaysians illegally entering the neighbouring country via illegal jetties.

He said since the border was officially closed, data has shown a significant downward trend in passive cross-border movement among locals. 

“In terms of Malaysians entering the neighbouring country illegally or without authorisation, the numbers have dropped significantly, showing a reduction of about 90 per cent,” he said. 

Apart from curbing illegal movement, enforcement measures along the 136-kilometre river have also crippled cross-border crimes. 

“Police have recorded a significant drop in cases involving contraband smuggling as well as drug seizures,” he said. 

Meanwhile, commenting on the reaction of local communities, Mohd Yusoff said in the early stages of the border closure, police received many negative comments and dissatisfaction from residents.

However, the Special Branch adopted a proactive approach by going to the ground to conduct studies and explain the rationale behind the move to border communities. 

As a result, the majority of residents now accept and support the security measures implemented by the authorities. 

“Based on face-to-face surveys conducted, 85 per cent of residents support this action, while only 15 per cent do not. 

“We deliberately chose in-person surveys instead of online methods to ensure the assessment accurately reflects the views of border communities themselves, not outsiders from places like Johor or Kuala Lumpur,” he said. 

Security control along the Kelantan-Thailand border spans approximately 163 kilometres, with 91 kilometres covering the Sungai Golok stretch. Monitoring extends across several key districts, including Tumpat, Rantau Panjang (Pasir Mas), Tanah Merah and Jeli. 

A ban on illegal cross-border movement through unauthorised jetties along the Malaysia-Thailand border, particularly in the Sungai Golok area, has been in force since Dec 1, 2024. 

-- BERNAMA