Armed Forces place priority on safety of people at border areas — Commander

PASIR MAS: The Malaysian Armed Forces ( ATM) defend the sovereignty of the nation by giving priority to the safety of the people in performing their duties, especially at the Malaysia-Thailand border.

Army Field Commander West Lt Gen Datuk Azizan Md Delin said members assigned to monitor and regulate the country’s borders should not consider the number of seizures and arrests as the yardstick to measure their success in carrying out their duties.

“The Armed Forces priority is to continue protecting the nation and give people the confidence to continue with their daily lives without having fear of undesirable elements disrupting peace and harmony.

“Even though we are trained to fight in wars, in times of peace armed forces members should not shirk their responsibilities in helping other authorities combat illegal activities,” he told reporters at a breaking- of- fast ceremony with ATM members at the To ‘O Camp in Rantau Panjang here Monday night.

Earlier, he visited four military posts namely Pos Ular and Pos Kuala Jambu in Tumpat and Pos Ibrahim Pencen as well as Pos Jeram Perdah here.

Azizan added that ATM members should not assume that they were above other security agencies at the border as their powers over certain matters were limited.

“We only assist with our physical presence and lend them support to ensure confidence among the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said from January until last Sunday, 13 illegal immigrants were detained and a variety of smuggled goods amounting to RM143,578 were seized by ATM personnel.

He said among items seized were petrol, ketum leaves and firecrackers. — Bernama