The cross-border smuggling of subsidised Malaysian goods from Sarawak into Kalimantan, and the influx of cheap Indonesian produce in return, has become a near-daily occurrence, says a DAP MP.
Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol said smugglers exploit remote jungle trails, known locally as “rat routes”, to smuggle subsidised goods, including sugar, rice and cooking oil into Indonesia across the porous border.
At the same time, items like cigarettes, fruits and vegetables are smuggled into the Bornean state from Kalimantan, he said.
Mordi said such activities are particularly rampant in rural areas, including parts of his federal constituency, with several trails wide enough to accommodate heavy vehicles.
“At my place in Mas Gading, it happens almost every day. Villagers report that there are ‘rat routes’ for four-wheel-drives, and ‘elephant routes’ for big lorries and trailers.
“The villagers have been complaining every day. They share information with the authorities, but they say their complaints are not taken seriously,” Mordi said in an interview with FMT.
Sarawak shares a common 1,032km-long border with the Indonesian region.
Although official entry points exist, smugglers often take advantage of the state’s vast, forested terrain and under-patrolled back roads to carry out illicit activities.
Earlier this week, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said 71 illegal routes and smuggling trails have been identified along the border.
He said the government has approved RM28 million to develop seven additional security posts, including at hotspots in Lubok Antu and Ba’kelalan, while another 390 police officers would be stationed to protect the border.
Mordi said he has consistently raised this issue in the Dewan Rakyat and believes better coordination between the federal and state governments was key to its resolution.
He acknowledged the presence of immigration complexes and roadblocks at several locations, but claimed enforcement was weak overall.
The two-term MP added that some villagers have even banded together to try and record the daily activities of smugglers.
“People living along these routes see smuggling happening almost daily. They say there are roadblocks, but trailers pass with little checks.
“I’ve received feedback from the monitoring group that sometimes, out of 10 trailers, only one is stopped.”
Smuggling hurting local farmers’ income
Apart from the leakage of subsidised goods, Mordi said the smuggling of Indonesian produce into Sarawak was hurting local farmers and small businesses in the state.
“Our farmers can’t compete. Vegetables and fruits from Kalimantan are significantly cheaper, and this is affecting their income,” he said.
He said frustration was growing among villagers, some of whom suspect corruption may be to blame for the lack of enforcement.
“Some are beginning to question whether there’s even a point in continuing to complain.”
Mordi, who is Sarawak DAP vice-chairman, also claimed that some villagers were themselves involved in the smuggling business, benefiting financially by allowing their land to be used as illegal crossing routes.
These villagers would be paid simply for allowing smugglers to use their land to get across the border, he said.
Mordi believes a crackdown is necessary to combat the menace and called for coordination among all relevant enforcement agencies, given their overlapping jurisdictions.
