Malaysia to boost border security
Basic surveillance not enough, system should go high-tech, says Zahid
KUNMING: Malaysia is looking into tightening its border security with an integrated surveillance system, including the use of high technology gadgets.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said border control was not just about having a physical barrier, adding that this must be combined with such a system.
He said at present, the 767km Malaysia-Thailand border was guarded by only a basic surveillance system such as barbed wire fencing and a wall.
He said the authorities in Yunnan, which shares a 4,060km border with Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, were using a high definition surveillance and tracking system such as drones, security cameras and satellites.
“We don’t have all these. They are too expensive,” he told reporters after meeting Yunnan Public Security deputy director-general Guo Bao here yesterday.
The meeting focused on border control, drug trafficking and counter-terrorism efforts.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said Malaysia and Yunnan shared some similarities in security issues such as illegal bor- der crossing, terrorism and the trafficking of drugs from the Golden Triangle area.
He is on a six-day working trip in China on matters related to, among others, security, prison and policing affairs.
He also said Malaysia was eyeing to have a bigger slice of the vast global halal market worth some US$1.1 trillion (RM4.9 trillion).
Malaysia, he said, currently had a halal market share of at least US$43bil (RM192bil), adding that there was still ample room to expand.
He said that Malaysian companies should work with halal product manufacturers in China to expand their business.
There are many halal product manufacturers in China, particularly in Yunnan and Xinjiang, which has a huge Muslim population, said Dr Ahmad Zahid.
“But they are facing a problem. They do not have the halal certificate.
“So, Malaysians and the Chinese can work together to come out with halal products for the world,” he said.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said the halal certificate issued by the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was recognised worldwide.
Halal products were among the topics discussed in the meetings between Dr Ahmad Zahid and Party Secretary of Yunnan Chen Hao as well as the provincial governor, Ruan Chengfa.