SUNGAI GOLOK: Thai authorities welcomed Malaysia’s decision to tighten border security measures, particularly in Kelantan, as drug and firearms smuggling remains a serious threat.
Sungai Golok Narcotics Administration Centre chairman Supeeyan Daemokleng said the move was necessary to prevent contraband from entering Malaysia, especially with rising cases of methamphetamine and firearms being trafficked across the border.
“We understand that Malaysian police, especially in Kelantan, may not want to take such strict steps.
“But with so many drugs and weapons flowing in, they are left with no choice.
“We respect the decision by our counterpart in Malaysia, especially the Kelantan police.
“Even Thailand wants to ensure that drugs do not spread uncontrollably in our country,” he said.
Supeeyan, who is also Sungai Golok district officer, expressed frustration over the problem as many of the drug dealers were of Malay ethnicity, adding that the community was destroying itself.
“It is painful to see this. These traffickers disregard what is halal and haram, and are even willing to kill their own fellow Muslims because of drugs,” he said.
He stressed that cross-border cooperation between Thai and Malaysian authorities was crucial to curb the problem, which continued to threaten both nations.
Malaysia had recently intensified its crackdown along the Kelantan-Thai border, including the demolition of more than 212 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok and the planned installation of 1.8km of concertina wire between Pos Ibrahim and the Friendship Bridge.
The Kelantan authorities said the measures were necessary as the illegal jetties and porous border had long been exploited by smugglers to move drugs, firearms, fuel and other contraband.
Both Malaysian and Thai authorities have also pledged closer cooperation in border enforcement to curb cross-border crime and drug trafficking.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
