TUMPAT: The use of artificial intelligence and drones will not be effective in curbing smuggling activities along the Kelantan border due to the narrow and shallow Golok river.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said these geographical factors made it necessary to expedite the construction of a border wall and security fence.
“Malaysians, especially from Kelantan, are still crossing into Thailand illegally.
“The activity has not completely stopped even after the crackdown on illegal crossings last year.
“(However), the move has reduced cross-border activities by 90 per cent.
“Previously, between 400 and 500 people would cross the border illegally each day, but now the number has dropped to about 30,” he told reporters after visiting the border here today.
Yusoff said the 45km stretch of border under the control of the General Operations Force (GOF) was extremely narrow, with travel time from the Thai riverbank to a jetty on the Malaysian side taking less than a minute.
“There have been proposals to monitor the border using AI or drones, but it is very difficult because the river is so narrow.
“That is why we urge for the immediate construction of a border wall and security fence.
“With such measures in place, we can stop illegal immigration and other smuggling activities 100 per cent,” he added.
The river border area has long been a hotspot for cross-border movement, involving not only the smuggling of goods such as fuel, cooking oil, and subsidised items, but also illegal migration and drug trafficking.
The shallow and winding river, dotted with illegal jetties, enables smugglers to operate swiftly and evade authorities.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
