Border lights will help reduce cross-border crimes - Nur Jazlan

The installation of Malaysia-Thailand border lights can assist the security forces to better curb cross-border crimes especially at night, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

He said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) was currently installing electric poles along the border from Padang Besar in Perlis to Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah.

"I was briefed by TNB that they are now installing power lines to light up the border.

"The border lights will also help the General Operations Force (GOF) to do 24-hour patrols and prevent cross-border crimes such as smuggling," he said after visiting the Wang Kelian Immigration Post and Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex, here on Saturday.

On the border wall and fence system, Nur Jazlan said the ministry was considering various proposals, including to replace and to rebuild the existing fence.

However, Nur Jazlan said the ministry was still in discussions to implement the best proposal as the cost of rebuilding the fence was high.

In another development, he said the Border Security Agency (Aksem) in Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Perak had seized goods amounting to RM42.7 million and arrested 888 illegal immigrants last year.

"From January to February this year, 152 cases were recorded involving seizure of goods worth RM3.3 million, and 169 illegal immigrants were detained," he said.