EXCLUSIVE: 30 to 45 people arrested daily attempting to encroach Malaysian borders

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia's security forces arrest 30 to 45 people daily for attempts to encroach the country’s border via land and sea, says National Security Council (NSC) Director-General Datuk Rodzi Md Saad.

The public, he said, may not be aware but reports of trespassing attempts are updated every 12 hours on the sea and land and along the country’s perimeter.

“It is scattered all over the country. One (attempt) could be in Tebedu, Sarawak, one in Sabah, five in Johor, four in Kedah or even at Sungai Golok in Kelantan,” he told Sinar Daily in an exclusive interview.

Rodzi said this was a part of an operation codenamed “Ops Benteng”, where the National Task Force cooperated with various agencies from several ministries to curb the entry of illegal immigrants.

“Using Selangor as an example - where illegal immigrants usually land, such as in Klang, Morib, Kelanang, and Sepang since it is near to the water.

“We also have general traffic forces stationed at roadblocks and checkpoints. These teams patrol their areas 24 hours a day, seven days a week by silent motorcycles known as E-Bike,” said Rodzi to Sinar Daily.

He added that law enforcement authorities patrol these areas to keep illegal immigrants from growing uncontrollably in the country. As Op Benteng was conducted on a bigger scale and intensively, he said the number of arrests increases every day.

“Selangor as well as Pengerang and Kota Tinggi in Johor are positioned along the entry axis. I guarantee you that every effort is made to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country,” he said.

Rodzi also said the security forces keep an eye on those without valid documentation or who have surpassed the immigration period.

He said from the monitoring activities conducted, arrests were made on illegal immigrants and were deported back to their country of origin.