Calls For New Approach To Border Patrols

By N. Sevagamy KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- In the wake of the recent large-scale influx of illegal immigrants to Malaysia, calls have emerged for a new approach to patrols along the country's borders on land and at sea. The breach of the border areas seems to have exposed a weakness in the enforcement of patrols along the borders and eroded the people's confidence in the ability of the enforcement agencies in discharging their duties effectively. Malaysian Former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan feels that joint efforts involving all enforcement agencies should be intensified at the borders. He said this was necessary as sharing of information among various enforcement bodies would definitely curb criminal activities in these areas. "The police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, marine police, armed forces, Customs Department and Immigration Department need to join forces," he told Bernama. He said the enforcement bodies should also be provided with the latest equipment. "At the same time, the use of modern gadgets should be increased at the borders. For instance, surveillance cameras should be placed in strategic areas to identify who goes in and out," he said. Musa said major efforts to increase surveillance and intelligence operations standards were needed to prevent any lapse in enforcement from undermining national security. Several shocking incidents of late have raised the issue of the effectiveness of enforcement agencies in guarding the borders on land and at sea. On May 25, Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar announced the discovery of 139 graves in 28 transit camps of human trafficking syndicates in Bukit Wang Burma, Wang Kelian, Perlis. Up to 106 skeletons of people believed to be victims of human trafficking were discovered, and the operation to exhume the remains went on until June 8. Then, on June 11, tanker MT Orkim Harmony, belonging to Magna Meridian Sdn Bhd, carrying 6,000 tonnes of petrol worth US$5.6 million (RM21 million) was hijacked by robbers while en route from Melaka to Kuantan, Malaysian east coast state of Pahang. However, all 22 crew comprising 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and one Myanmar national were rescued last Friday. President of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Awareness Board Dr Saharuddin Awang Yahya said a weakness in surveillance and patrols had led to the breach of the borders. "All parties should join forces in this issue before it becomes chronic. We admit that our national waters are not small, but with the increase in the number of security forces, the problem of intrusions can be curbed. "The ships used by the authorities must have modern equipment, such as sophisticated communication tools, so that they can always interact if something undesirable happens," he said. -- BERNAMA