Armed forces believe more illegals hiding near border

ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) believe more foreign nationals are hiding in the border near Bukit Kayu Hitam, waiting to sneak into the country, following the arrest of two more illegal immigrants in the area yesterday.

Sixth Brigade Commander Brig- Jen Datuk Abdul Aziz Ismail said a man, 31, and a woman, 19, both Myanmar nationals, were arrested at the hill area of a gas pipeline near Pos 5 at 5pm and 3pm respectively by two patrol teams from the 5th Battalion Border Regiment.

He said the duo were believed to be part of a group of five people arrested earlier yesterday. The five were forced out of hiding due to hunger and thirst.

“The woman arrested at 3pm yesterday was found walking alone in the area and failed to provide any legal travel documents.

“Our patrol teams continued to track the rest of the group and, at 5pm, they arrested a man found walking around that same area,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Brig-Jen Abdul Aziz said the two were given food and drinks before being handed over to the Bukit Kayu Hitam Police Station.

“We will continue to track those around the border area,” he said. Yesterday, a Rohingya man surrendered himself at Pos 5 due to severe hunger and fatigue.

The five, aged between 19 and 23, were arrested at different places by the 6th Brigade after they were believed to have split up to hide among the bushes to avoid detection.