We will leave no stone unturned in probe, says Muhyiddin

PONTIAN: The Home Ministry will leave no stone unturned in its investigation on cross border smuggling activities in Perlis, which has seen border enforcement officers turning a blind eye, as revealed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday.

Its minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, said his ministry viewed the matter seriously and assured that it would not protect any enforcement personnel involved in the racket.

He added that the government had been serious in its efforts to eliminate such activities and welcomed information on such matters.

“If there is any personnel involved in the activity, there would be no exception for them. The law does not recognise whether he is an officer or a smuggler. If there are those who are aiding and abetting him, we have the evidence, we will take action against them.”

Muhyiddin said this during a working visit to the Pontian district police headquarters here.

MACC yesterday via a video clip revealed cross-border smuggling activities blatantly taking place in Padang Besar, Perlis.

Muhyiddin said the activities were not new and that it had been taking place for a long time.

He added that despite the crackdown by the authorities, it continued to flourish due to the involvement of syndicates.

“We are aware that this issue is not new. It has been taking place for a long time, and crackdowns were conducted on it. Maybe there problems due to logistics or shortcomings due to the vast border areas, as well as other factors. We are not making excuses.”

He said his ministry would boost its enforcement activities along the border.