Sungai Golok’s Narrow Terrain Complicates Smuggling Control - Police

KOTA BHARU, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The terrain of Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, which is long but narrow, presents a significant challenge for the nation’s security forces in controlling cross-border activities and illicit smuggling in the area separating Malaysia and Thailand.

Kelantan police chief, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, said while security measures have been intensified since the closure of all illegal crossings along the river, attempts by certain individuals to bypass these controls continue.

He added that the police are overseeing a 45-kilometre stretch of the river, with 17 General Operations Force (PGA) posts, each responsible for approximately two kilometres of the area.

"Controlling the entire river is difficult due to its length, narrowness, and numerous illegal routes, particularly in the northern areas from Tanah Merah to Jeli, which are surrounded by dense forests.

"At times, smugglers wait for the right moment, and when they see there are no officers in sight, they quickly cross using small boats," he told Bernama at the State Police Headquarters here recently.

Mohd Yusoff further said that during the dry season, water levels in Sungai Golok drop, allowing smugglers to cross into southern Thailand on foot in mere seconds.

He noted that this situation is exploited to smuggle various goods and livestock by walking across the shallow river.

"The challenges extend beyond land to the vast water areas stretching from Pulau Tengkorak, Genting, to Besut, Terengganu.

"The sea is more exposed and extensive, so we hope that the Region Three Marine Police Force, currently based in Kuantan, Pahang, will be relocated to Tok Bali in Pasir Puteh to improve the deployment of all available assets," he added.

He also emphasised that although the force no longer relies on the Senoi Praaq unit as before, the personnel strength under the PGA Southeast Brigade, covering Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, is adequate to counter cross-border criminal activities.

In addition, Mohd Yusoff highlighted that the police have recently received an armoured personnel carrier (APC) to strengthen security measures, while other assets are awaiting government approval.

"While drug smuggling and human trafficking activities have decreased, attention is now focused on the entry of livestock, such as cows, pigs, and rice from neighbouring countries.

"Drugs seized in Kelantan are not typically smuggled directly from the border. They are already within the state, which indicates that other routes, including sea routes are being used," he added.

He also stressed the strong cooperation between Malaysian and Thai security forces.

"We frequently conduct joint operations and meetings with the Malaysian and Thai Marine Police, who patrol Sungai Golok together to maintain border security," he said.

Mohd Yusoff revealed that a total of 212 illegal crossings have been identified along the Kelantan-Thailand border, with 153 located on government land and the rest on private property.

"We have issued demolition notices to the public. For the first phase, we will demolish the crossings on government land as they do not involve private landowners. Demolition work is expected to begin in the middle of this month," he said.

He added that awareness campaigns are ongoing, led by district police chiefs in the border areas of Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, and Jeli. The aim is to educate the local communities that smuggling and illegal border crossings are criminal offences.

"Previously, many residents in border areas believed that crossing the border freely was not illegal, as it had been a tradition passed down for generations. However, after we explained the situation, many have understood, and they now report smuggling and migrant activities to the authorities," he said.

Regarding the integrity of officers and personnel working at the border, Mohd Yusoff stressed that there will be no tolerance for any officer or member involved in colluding with smugglers.

"Even within families, not all children are the same. Similarly, in the police force, there may be a few individuals engaged in unethical activities, but their numbers are very small. They are on our radar, and action will be taken," he added.

On the use of body cameras for personnel stationed at the border, he said body cameras are currently used by the motorcycle patrol unit and patrol vehicles, but the police are considering expanding their use to border officers to enhance transparency and monitoring.

-- BERNAMA