MCO: Police tighten security, increase personnel patrolling borders, national waters

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) director, Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said to date, a total of 2,197 officers and personnel of the General Operations Force (GOF) had been deployed at the country's border checkpoints to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants.

He said border patrols especially at the northern border with Thailand, the west coast of Johor and the borders of Sabah and Sarawak have been increased.

"The number of personnel on duty has been increased by 50 per cent compared to the number before the implementation of the MCO," he said in a special press conference at Bukit Aman, here, today.

In addition, Acryl Sani said routes in waters along the west coast of the peninsula, namely Pontian and the east coast of Johor were also tightened.

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"The Johor Contingent Police Headquarters has coorodinated operations and (assignments) will be carried out by the Marine Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

"We will also seek the assistance of the Royal Malaysian Navy to block routes used by illegal immigrants," he said.

In the meantime, Acryl Sani said police were identifying the middlemen (skippers) engaged in bringing the illegal immigrants into the country.

"Police are improving coordination between the Internal Security and Public Order Department, the Criminal Investigation Department as well as the special branch to identify the middlemen.

"Action will be taken on these skippers under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing (AMLA) Act," he said.

In addition, he said, so far no cases of wildlife and forest products smuggling have been detected during the MCO.

Acryl Sani said to date, 4,900 GOF officials and personnel have been tasked to assist in the implementation of the MCO nationwide.