Government to study proposal on security fencing along border areas

A comprehensive study will be conducted on the proposal to construct security fencing along the country's border, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He said the study would be conducted by the Home Ministry with the cooperation of the relevant government agencies on whether to repair or replace the existing wall fencing along the border.

"The proposal has been approved by the Cabinet on March 11 last year," he said when winding up the debate on the pledge of loyalty on the speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Parliament, Thursday.

On the proposed construction of the 5.35 kilometre single layer border fencing along the Malaysia-Thailand (MALTHAI) border fencing, Shahidan said the matter was still at the discussion stage by the secretariat of both countries.

"The proposal will be tabled at the MALTHAI Land Border Committee (LBC) meeting before it is finalised," he said.

On Jan 5, the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail called for the reconstruction of a new Perlis-Thailand land border fencing so as to maintain Malaysia's sovereignty and security.

He said construction of the fencing should take into account current security situation and to enhance its capability with the use of surveillance technologies such as closed-circuit television, night vision detection equipment and motion sensors.

Meanwhile, the Dewan Rakyat approved a motion of thanks on the royal address of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting will resume on Monday. -- Bernama