KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) has suggested the establishment of six new border posts to improve security along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
The suggested locations are Biawak, Lundu; Kampung Stass/Kampung Sebubok, Bau; Kampung Raso, Lundu; Kampung Sapit, Padawan; Sungai Paku, Ulu Undop; and Tapak Megah, Belaga.
GOF Sarawak brigade commander, SAC Mancha Ata, said the suggestions were meant to improve GOF security patrols and control of the border.
“We are looking to improve border security and control, curb illegal immigration, and eliminate cross-border smuggling syndicates,” said GOF Sarawak brigade commander, SAC Mancha Ata.
“We will increase the number of patrols along our border, establish aggressive relationship with the district police, and gather information on human smuggling from the local people.”
Mancha was speaking in a press conference on operations against illegal immigration at GOF Sarawak’s Senior Police Officers’ Mess.
The brigade will also acquire drones and suitable motorcycles for monitoring the border using an allocation of over RM700,000 which has been approved by the state government.
During the period from January till this month, the brigade has detained 319 people in 73 cases of illegal immigration.
This figure is in three parts, namely arrest of ‘tekong’ (agents) and immigrants; arrests associated with smuggling of goods; and detention of illegal immigrants who had no ‘tekong’.
Those arrested under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling (Atipsom) Act 2007 were 26 ‘tekong’ (24 locals and two immigrants), and 93 illegal immigrants.
“There were 188 illegal immigrants who entered the state without any ‘tekong’ and they were deported,” he said.
For the offence of smuggling goods under the Customs Act 1967, the brigade had arrested 12 locals and seized seven vehicles worth over RM550,000.
Mancha added that the brigade had identified three districts considered as hotspots — Bau, Serian and Lundu — which are normally used by undocumented immigrants as illegal entry points.
On the factors that lured these illegal immigrants, he pointed at the high demand for workers in various industries such as construction and farming/agriculture.
“We also do not deny the close family relationships between locals and people in Kalimantan,” he said.
As for local people living along the border, he urged them to give information on criminal activities to help the authorities deal with them.
Also present at Mancha’s press conference are State Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPN) director Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung and Serian police chief DSP Aswandy Anis.
