KUCHING: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) is constantly improving the ‘Ops Benteng’ maritime and land border control in view of the Covid-19 situation in the country.
MAF commander Gen Tan Sri Datuk Seri Affendi Buang stated that the alertness aspect was given attention to address the spread of the virus by illegal immigrants in the state.
“The ‘Ops Benteng’ under the National Task Force coordinated by MAF as the leading agency, is constantly improving border control vigilance in Sarawak, both maritime and land borders.
“This control also focuses on rat trails (jalan tikus) identified as hotspots for illegal immigrants who attempt to make the routes as the entry and exit point to Sarawak,” he said in a statement.
From May 1 this year to date, a total of 497 illegal immigrants and 28 agents, including 56 deportations, had been successfully executed as a result of the task force’s integrated coordination with enforcement and security agencies.
They include the army, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Ministry of Health (MoH), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela).
Gen Affendi also explained that border control assignment in Sarawak covered the maritime component in eight sectors involving the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), MMEA and Marine Police (PPM). Meanwhile, the east land component involved ATM, General Operations Force (GOF), JIM, JKDM, Rela and MoH.
“Through the Sarawak-Kalimantan land border control, ‘Ops Benteng’ is empowered with existing operations namely ‘Ops Awas/Keris Parang’, ‘Ops Kerangka’, ‘Ops Suluh Kenyalang’ and ‘Ops Jagakawan’ operated by the army.
“While ‘Op Awas/Batas’ and ‘Ops Benteng PDRM’ are handled by GOF. All of which involves border control in the sectors of Biawak, Kandaie, Serikin, Tebedu, Balai Ringan and Lubok Antu.”
The community can channel any information regarding illegal immigrants, smuggling activities, border encroachment or any cross-border criminal activity through the NTF Operations Centre hotline at 011-62511223.
