The home ministry has identified 71 illegal routes and smuggling trails along Sarawak’s border with Kalimantan, said its minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Saifuddin said the government had approved RM28 million to develop seven additional security posts, including in hotspots in Lubok Antu and Bekalalan.
Winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today, he said an additional RM64 million had been allocated for 22 projects along the border, covering both physical and non-physical projects involving the police, the immigration department and border agencies.
He also said another 390 senior and lower-ranking police officers would be stationed to protect the border.
Illegal gambling centres disguised as coffee shops
Saifuddin also addressed the increase in illegal gambling operations, often disguised as coffee shops, in Sarawak.
He said the authorities carried out 509 raids across Sarawak, resulting in 535 arrests, from January to July.
“We will continue to take action including under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and the Prevention of Crime Act 1959.
“We also cooperate with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and Sarawak Energy Bhd when we cut power and water to them. We will review the laws to see if they need to be strengthened.
“We can take down their websites in split seconds, but they can immediately create mirror websites,” he said.
