Removing more than 100 illicit docks along the Thai frontier, as part of Malaysia's efforts.
Crackdown on Cross-Border Crime: Demolition of Illegal Jetties in Malaysia
In a bid to combat illegal activities along the border with Thailand, Malaysian authorities are set to demolish 128 illegal jetties on the Kolok River. This move is part of a broader effort to disrupt organized crime networks and improve border security [1][2].
The Kolok River forms part of the border between Malaysia's Kelantan state and Thailand’s Narathiwat province. The jetties, illegally constructed on government land, have been identified as hotspots of illicit activity, with security and state officials suspecting that triads use these unapproved jetties as entry and exit points between the two countries [3].
The demolition, announced by the state police chief of Kelantan, Mohd Yusoff Mamat, is estimated to cost between 2,000 and 5,000 ringgit (approximately 15,000 to 38,000 baht) [4]. The jetties are located between Tumpat and Rantau Panjang, opposite Tak Bai district and Sungai Kolok district in Thailand, respectively [2].
Kelantan state has been actively campaigning against human trafficking, contraband, and other crimes. The demolition of the jetties is a strategic move to eliminate illegal points of entry that criminals exploit to cross the border and conduct illegal activities, thereby improving law enforcement control over the Kelantan-Thailand border region [1][2].
The plan to demolish the jetties has received approval from the state government and the initiative represents an increased security push, with the number of targeted illegal piers almost doubling from an initial 128 to 212 [1][2]. The demolition is expected to reduce opportunities for human trafficking and drug trafficking, curtail the smuggling of contraband goods across the border, strengthen border security by limiting unauthorized river crossings, and disrupt organized criminal networks relying on these facilities for illicit trade [1][2].
The announcement was reported by Bernama on Monday [5]. The demolition is set to take place soon, marking a significant step forward in the fight against cross-border crime in the region.
References:
[1] https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/638173 [2] https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/11/kelantan-to-demolish-128-illegal-jetties-on-kolok-river [3] https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/11/kelantan-to-demolish-128-illegal-jetties-on-kolok-river [4] https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/11/kelantan-to-demolish-128-illegal-jetties-on-kolok-river [5] https://www.bernama.com/en/business/news.php?id=1978840
In the context of heightened security measures against cross-border crime, Kelantan state's plan to demolish 212 illegal jetties highlights a connection between politics and general-news, as the state government aims to disrupt organized crime networks that have been using these jetties for illicit activities such as human and drug trafficking. This effort also depicts crime-and-justice implications, as it represents a significant step towards strengthening border security and improving law enforcement control over the border region.
