360 GOF Personnel Guard Borders During Festive Season, Away From Families

TUMPAT, March 15 (Bernama) -- A total of 360 personnel from the General Operations Force (GOF) Battalion 8 Pengkalan Chepa are on duty safeguarding border security throughout the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season to ensure the country’s border areas remain safe from cross-border crimes.

Southeast Brigade GOF deputy commander ACP Mohd Hazazi Othman said all the personnel are currently focusing on efforts to curb smuggling activities as well as other crimes in border areas.

He said the assignment lasts for 34 days beginning a day after the start of Ramadan as part of enforcement operations at the nation’s borders.

“Although the festive season is approaching, GOF personnel remain committed to carrying out their duties to ensure the country’s safety and sovereignty continue to be preserved,” he said after conducting a working visit to Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan and presenting festive cookies at the GOF Tactical Headquarters (Martek) Pengkalan Kubor here today.

Mohd Hazazi said the visit was also aimed at providing moral support and boosting the spirits of personnel who have to be away from their families while other Muslims celebrate Aidilfitri.

Meanwhile, Insp Afifah Yacob from GOF Battalion 8 said this year marks one of her experiences being on duty during Hari Raya since joining the force in 2021.

The mother of two, including a nine-month-old baby who resides in Machang, said her commitment to duty requires her to always be ready to be deployed to border areas despite being based in Kota Bharu.

“Although there is a sense of sadness because I cannot be with my family during Hari Raya, I stay strong because this is a responsibility to the country,” she said.

-- BERNAMA