Perlis wants Federal Government to replace fencing with wall at border

The Perlis Government wants the federal government to build a wall to replace the wire fence at the Malaysian-Thai border.

It also wants the placement of enforcement officers at the border to be shortened to just six months.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said the current wire fencing at the border was too fragile as it was easily damaged by parties carrying out illicit activities between the two countries.

"I also note weaknesses in border enforcement and control. Evidence of human trafficking cannot be ignored but I do not want to pinpoint any party.

"Security mechanism is a major priority to ensure the Malaysian border is intact," he told reporters after being met at the Menteri Besar's Hari Raya Aidilfitri feast at his residence here Thursday.

He said about two years ago, the state government had proposed the rotation of enforcement officer placement be made from between six months and a year to curb smuggling, and not over human trafficking.

"To face these issues in sensitive areas, particularly at the border, it is better for enforcement officers to be rotated more frequently before they become known and familiar to local residents.

"The officers need not bring their families each time they are on duty at the border. Nevertheless, the government should provide them with quarters," added Azlan.

He also said the construction of a wall to deter illicit activities should be made a bilateral issue between the governments of the two countries.

On the Malaysian-Thai border in Perlis which has become a transit area for Myanmar's ethnic Rohingyas, the menteri besar said the Malaysian Government had acted correctly by involving ASEAN countries and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"Human trafficking is a cross-border issue. Malaysia is only a transit centre. As such, it should involve other countries and the source country.

"Our action should be regional in nature and not by any single party," said Azlan when asked on the possibility of Rohingya refugees entering the country via the Malaysian-Thai border in Perlis.

The Hari Raya gathering was also attended by Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail and Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, as well as the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Hajah Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

Tuanku Tengku Fauziah also presented duit raya to orphans and destitutes present at the event which was attended by about 10,000 people.