TUMPAT: Kelantan‘s maritime authority is seeking federal approval to install a radar system in Pengkalan Kubor to step up surveillance and curb cross-border crime along the Malaysian–Thai border.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) state director Erwan Shah Soahdi said the radar would significantly boost monitoring efforts and reinforce ongoing operations against smuggling and other illicit activities.
“The MMEA has proposed to the Home Ministry to establish a Remote Sensor Site (RSS) Swasla radar system at Mukim Tabar, which borders Thailand.
“The location is very strategic as it covers the coastal waters used as entry points by smugglers before they head inland via river estuaries.
“With the radar in place, detection of cross-border criminal activities will be more effective,” he told reporters during a visit to the border yesterday.
RSS is a key part of Malaysia’s Sea Surveillance System (Swasla), a 24-hour radar network that monitors vessel movements, enforces maritime laws and strengthens national security.
The Kelantan–Thai border has long been a hotspot for cross-border crimes, with syndicates exploiting coastal waters and river estuaries to smuggle goods, drugs and even migrants into Malaysia.
Authorities say constant surveillance is crucial to curb these illegal activities.
Erwan said the MMEA has also proposed building a permanent Pengkalan Kubor maritime base along with a radar facility to strengthen surveillance on the east coast.
He added that the proposal has been submitted to the agency’s Development Division and forwarded to the Home Ministry for approval.
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