There might be more illegal immigrants who managed to escape than those detained

SHAH ALAM - It is believed that there are more Illegal immigrants who managed to escape than the 30 to 45 people detained every day for attempting to enter the country's borders either by land or sea.

Crime analyst Datuk Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said this was because the country's waters are wide and the authorities have insufficient manpower to safeguard the borders.

"It is very likely that many have entered our country. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement (MMEA) which is in charge of border control needs to be more serious in tackling the (trespassing) problem.

“We are worried that the country’s national security would be threatened if there are too many intruders and it is very easy to enter the country.

“If there are ordinary intruders who could enter the country for work purposes, the unwanted ones might enter as well like what previously happened in Sabah,” he told Sinar Harian on Friday.

Shahul Hamid added that aspects of the national borders and the entry of illegal immigrants should also be reviewed by the authorities.

“Hot spots need to be scrutinised and at the same time we need to look elsewhere too.

“These people are also smart as they are already prepared to enter the country through other routes when the authorities are waiting at the hot spots,” he said.

He added that it was easy for illegal immigrants to enter the country as authorities still have insufficient equipment.

“People who want to trespass are more efficient than us. For example if we are using a 100 horsepower boat, they are using a 200 horsepower one.

“They are faster than us. That is why we have to be vigilant in dealing with this problem,” he said.