THE Royal Malaysia Police in Kelantan has called on the federal government to prioritise the construction of a border security wall and the installation of maritime radar systems in the upcoming Budget 2026, citing growing enforcement challenges along the state’s porous land and sea borders with Thailand.
Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the wide expanse of the sea bordering the state poses significant enforcement challenges, with existing patrol assets—though improved—still insufficient without a corresponding increase in personnel and advanced surveillance technology.
“Of course, we at the border need additional assets such as boats and patrol vehicles, but these must be accompanied by increased manpower,” he told Bernama.
“In the interim, we also need drones to assist with patrols while awaiting the construction of the border wall,” he added.
Among the most pressing needs, according to Mohd Yusoff, is a coastal radar surveillance system. Unlike the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Kelantan currently lacks this critical infrastructure, making it difficult to monitor maritime activity across the vast waters separating Malaysia and Thailand.
“Without radar, it is difficult to track the movement of boats between Thailand and Malaysia, as the maritime area is enormous—stretching hundreds of nautical miles,” he said.
“Smuggling by sea is actually more prevalent than on land. Smugglers use fishing boats and small vessels to transfer fuel and other goods in open waters,” he added.
Mohd Yusoff noted that existing police patrol boats are small and limited to operating within 20 nautical miles of the coast, while smugglers often utilise larger C2-class fishing vessels capable of travelling up to 100 nautical miles.
“There are numerous entry points via the sea, from Genting to Pulau Tengkorak in Tumpat. Routine patrols using the current boats are exhausting and require significant fuel,” he explained.
“That is why radar surveillance is crucial. If installed on Pulau Tengkorak, for instance, it would enable us to detect high-speed boats and identify the types of vessels and their activities,” he said.
On the proposed construction of a permanent border wall between Kelantan and Thailand, Mohd Yusoff said there has yet to be an official response from the federal government, though he understands the matter is under active consideration.
“I hope the construction of a security fence or wall, along with radar systems, will be included in Budget 2026, as these would greatly enhance efforts to curb cross-border crime,” he said.
On 11 June, Mohd Yusoff described the proposed border wall—along Kelantan’s 45-kilometre stretch adjacent to Thailand—as the most effective solution to combat smuggling, noting that the current open nature of the border makes comprehensive enforcement difficult.
Budget 2026 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament this Friday by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. - October 8, 2025
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