Malaysia tightens security in north border areas
PLA Daily 2004-01-18
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Malaysia has tightened security in north areas bordering Thailand following the recent attack and arms seizure at the Narathiwat army camp in southern Thailand.
Malaysian troops and police at the Malaysia-Thailand common border have been ordered to step up surveillance on border-crossings in the wake of the incidents.
"All 17 army posts along the Malaysia-Thailand border between Kelantan (in Malaysia) and Narathiwat province (in Thailand) have been instructed to increase vigilance on border-crossings," Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak said early this week.
The Royal Malaysia Police, Customs and Immigration Departments have also been directed to be on the alert when conducting checks at the country's entry points, he added.
Following the incidents in southern Thailand, Malaysia has intensified its border patrols, deploying some 20 armored vehicles for the purpose.
A group of more than 60 armed men attacked the army camp in southern Thailand, about 1,150 km south of Bangkok, on Jan. 4, and escaped with more than 370 various types of firearms, including M60 grenade launchers.
The assailants were also reported to have shot dead four soldiers and set ablaze 18 schools.
On the sea, Malaysia has also reinforced marine police on its territorial waters. The strength of the Malaysian Marine Police has been increased four-fold on the waters bordering Thailand to check on illegal activities involving firearms.
Malaysian Marine Police Commander Muhammad Muda told reporters here that the decision was made in the wake of a significant increase in illegal activities in the area recently.
The additional deployment saw 15 patrol boats, speed boats and 122 marines being dispatched to the area. They will be stationed at specific locations along the Malaysian territorial waters near Pulau Langkawi in Kedah, Pengkalan Kubu Baru and Sungai Golok in Kelantan, northern Malaysia.
Prior to the reinforcement, the Marine Police presence had been confined to one or two patrol vessels to monitor these areas.
"With the additional manpower, all boats crossing into Malaysian waters from Thailand, either through Langkawi or from the South China Sea, will be inspected. A similar exercise will be undertaken along Sungai Golok," he said.
In addition, Malaysia and Thailand started their joint border patrol on Wednesday, several months ahead of schedule following recent incidents in the southern Thailand. The joint patrol was supposed to commence in July but was brought forward.
"Because of the situation in southern Thailand, we agree to bring the date forward. As mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak who is also Defense Minister, Malaysia will provide full cooperation and assistance to Thailand in tackling the problem," Army Chief Mohamad Azumi Mohamed said.
He said that under the three-month joint patrol pact, the troops from both sides would patrol their respective areas along the Sungai Golok, which borders the two countries.
The joint patrol was one of the initiatives taken by Malaysia to help Thailand.
Residents living near the border have been urged to extend their cooperation to the security forces by providing information on activities that posed a threat to the country.
The army chief said the quicker the information was received, the faster the security forces could act to rectify the situation.
Malaysian Defense Minister expressed his confidence that the existing mechanism of mutual understanding and cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand would ensure security on the common border, including exchange of information between the two sides.
There was no report of a breach of the country's border by terrorists from southern Thailand, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohd Sedek Mohd Ali. The border with Thailand remained intact, he added.
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