Malaysia is exerting every effort to deal with the increase of smuggling activities along its border with Thailand.
To overcome the problem, the government must enhance border security
and tighten several existing regulations and laws, Federal Police
Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Mazlan Mansor told
reporters on November 5.
He proposed all executive power
agencies working in the border increase their cooperation, while
exchanging information with the Thai authorities on a regular basis.
Malaysia has taken an array of measures to
cope with cross-border smuggling, including furthering patrols and
cooperation among the armed forces, Customs Department and the
Anti-Smuggling Unit, he added.
However, several
weaknesses have been identified, for example random checks of suspicious
individuals on means of transportation causing traffic jams.
Footpaths and the Golok River that can be crossed easily in the
dry season have made border control activities more difficulty.
The rapid economic growth and the frequent movement of people at the
Malaysia-Thailand border have also reportedly contributed to the
increase of smuggling activities.
The 640km Malaysia-Thailand
border area, which comprises 551km of land border and the remainder
being maritime border, has been the centre of smuggling activities
operated by organised crime gangs in both countries.-VNA