MCO: Op Benteng successful in checking entry of illegals, cross-border crimes

RMN's KD Lekiu Commanding Officer Captain Shaiful Nizam Abdul Manan said that through the OP Benteng integrated approach, security forces have intensified the pressure on these groups and driven home the message that the government was serious and vigilant in protecting the country's martime borders and sovereignty.

"For example, on April 16, RMN together with the air force intercepted 200 illegal immigrants who were trying to enter the country.

"It is proof of the success and cooperation of our security forces personnel in preventing illegal entries by foreign boats," he told this Bernama journalist who was following the OP Benteng in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Straits of Melaka yesterday.

Shaiful Nizam said RMN and the other enforcement agencies would remain focused in combating the various threats to ensure that they would not pose any major problems as the country was battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

OP Benteng was activated under the National Task Force, with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) given the mandate to coordinate operations to guard the country's borders together with Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Ministry of Health, Civil Defence Force, Immigration Department and Volunteer Corps Department.

Commenting on the major changes to be carried out by the government pertaining to the intake of migrant workers and control of illegal immigrants post-COVID-19, he said these measures were in line with the security situation in the region, especially the challenges faced in the Straits of Melaka.

"As such the government's approach (on policy) will give a big impact on the country's current security scenario, especially in preventing the entry of illegal immigrants in the wake of COVID-19," he said.

Shaiful Nizam said this served as a clear message that the government was serious and determined to tackle this issue.

On Thursday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Malaysia was expected to make major policy changes on the hiring of foreign workers and control of illegal immigrants post-COVID-19.

He said it was time for the policy to be reviewed as foreigners were among the groups responsible for the spike in COVID-19 cases in Malaysia and several other countries, including Singapore.