Hotspots, rat trails, elephant trails used for cross-border crimes identified

KUALA LUMPUR: National security agencies have identified hotspots, ‘rat trails’ and ‘elephant trails’ along the border areas which are frequently used for cross-border criminal activities, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said these hotspots and trails were used to smuggle controlled items and cigarettes as well as by illegal immigrants.

He said this includes an estimated 971.5 km of coastline along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and 839.7 km along the east coast, while in Sarawak it was 1,765.8 km and Sabah 2,344.6 km.

“There are also rat trails along maritime borders especially in mangrove areas which are close to the neighbouring countries and these trails are patrolled not just at sea but also on land.

“There are also an unknown number of rat trails and elephant trails along the 556 km of the Malaysia-Thailand border which covers settlement areas and jungle but there are military and police operations here, even though there are rat trails, entry by illegal immigrants and goods are still under control,” he said.

Shahidan was replying to a question from Datuk Abidullah Salleh on cross- border crime in Malaysia.

He said the hotspot areas which have been identified included Batu Pahat, Pontian, Pengerang and Muar in Johor; Kuala Langat, Sungai Kesang, Pulau Carey, Banting and Tanjung Sepat in Selangor, as well as Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan.

“These locations are the focal points of various criminal activities such as smuggling of cigarettes and controlled goods, as well as the illegal entry and exit points for illegal immigrants coming to Malaysia via sea routes. The majority of these illegal immigrants using these routes are Indonesians and Bangladeshis.

“Part of the main reasons for these places becoming the choice locations are the geographical factor and their proximity to Indonesia, namely the Tanjung Balai, Batam, Dumai and Pulau Rapat areas,” he said.

He added that in the last five years, 2,995 illegal immigrants had been arrested while there were 243 cases of smugglingrelated arrests with a confiscation value of RM41,314,768.80.

Shahidan said in the effort to curb cross- border criminal activity, the security agencies constantly patrolled and monitored sea routes, especially the hotspots, using boats, ships and aircraft.

He added information obtained through the Sea Surveillance System ( SWASLA) helped in the monitoring of suspicious objects at sea while Maritime Friends comprising fishermen and Maritime Malaysia volunteers enabled the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA) to act swiftly.

“The MMEA has also conducted several aggressive surveillance operations with other enforcement agencies like the Immigration Department and Marine Police.

“In addition, close collaboration with enforcement bodies in neighbouring countries such as the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency and the Indonesian National AntiNarcotics Agency have also ensured that cross- border transgressions are brought under control,” he said. — Bernama