RANTAU PANJANG: Enforcement agencies today put up signboards and yellow tape to cordon off several illegal jetties along Sungai Golok built on government land.
The jetties, located in several villages between the Pasir Mas and Tumpat districts, are believed to have been used by smugglers to bring in goods such as rice, livestock, drugs and firearms.
Today’s operation involved more than 30 officers from various agencies, including the district land office, the National Security Council and the Department of Survey and Mapping.
Among the sites marked during the operation were the Kuala Senggeng illegal jetty, Tanjung Baru illegal jetty and Pulau illegal jetty.
The illegal jetties had been constructed on state land several years ago and their existence posed security and enforcement challenges to border enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, General Operations Force Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said 54 demolition notices were placed so far.
He said 44 notices were served in Tumpat district while another 10 were put up in Pasir Mas.
“The move against illegal jetties built along the Golok river is part of ongoing enforcement to curb smuggling activities,” he added.
He said a total of 212 illegal jetties had been identified across Jeli, Pasir Mas, Tumpat and Tanah Merah, of which 128 fell under the GOF’s jurisdiction and 84 under the army.
It is learnt that the notices, issued by the respective district land offices, are related to demolition action under Section 426A of the National Land Code against illegal structures built on government land.
It stated that constructing on state land without approval is an offence under Section 425 of the National Land Code, which carries a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to RM500,000, or both, upon conviction.
The notices served as final warnings, with demolition works set to be carried out within 14 days of issuance without further notice.
Any attempt to obstruct the demolition process may be deemed as interfering with a public servant and will be investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code.
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