OVER 200 ILLEGAL JETTIES ALONG SUNGAI GOLOK TO BE DEMOLISHED WITHIN TWO MONTHS - POLICE

PASIR MAS, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- All 223 illegal jetties, including privately owned jetties along Sungai Golok, a known smuggling route on the Malaysia-Thailand border, are expected to be completely demolished within the next two months through a pilot project that began today.

The initiative marks the first step toward implementing comprehensive reforms to strengthen security controls along the Malaysia-Thailand border, particularly in Kelantan.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the first two locations involved in the initial phase of demolition are Pangkalan Gergaji and Pangkalan MCA in Rantau Panjang, which consist of illegal jetties built on government land.

He said that out of the total, 216 jetties were constructed illegally on government land, while seven others were privately owned jetties along Sungai Golok, starting from Pangkalan Kubur to Tanah Merah.

“The demolition work will be carried out in stages due to limited machinery and is expected to be completed within one to two months.

“We will proceed based on available resources...once one location is completed, we’ll move on to the next until all illegal jetties are removed,” he told reporters after inspecting the pilot demolition operation in Rantau Panjang today.

According to him, for the seven jetties built on private land, enforcement action will be taken after a review and the necessary legal processes are completed by the local government authorities (PBT).

The operation, he said, was the result of nearly a year of planning, which included engagement sessions with local communities along Sungai Golok to explain the real purpose of the demolition.

  “Alhamdulillah, after being informed, the local community now understands the government’s intention to curb cross-border crimes, including the smuggling of drugs, firearms, fuel, and other controlled goods into neighbouring countries,” he said.

Mohd Yusoff said the demolition operations will be jointly monitored by the police and the State National Security Council, as well as other relevant agencies, to ensure safety and smooth progress at the sites.

“I hope all parties will cooperate, as this initiative is aimed at ensuring the well-being, peace and security of communities living along the border,” he said.

-- BERNAMA