KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Border Security Agency (Aksem) believes that locals here, especially those living along Sungai Golok, have been working in cahoots with smugglers to set up ‘laluan tikus’ or ‘rat routes’ which bypass checkpoints.
Kelantan Aksem commander Mohd Asri Yahya said several residents of areas along the river in Rantau Panjang have been identified as having participated in activities which benefitted smugglers.
"The laluan tikus were set up close to the illegal jetties, and these routes and illegal jetties are normally located (behind) bushes and isolated areas along the border.
"(However) the close relationship between the (residents and smugglers) will not stop the agency from continuing with our operation, from time to time,” he said.
When met at his office today, Mohd Asri said the agency will conduct ‘Ops Bersepadu’ with other border agencies, such as the Customs and the General Operations Force, soon.
"Besides curbing smuggling activities along the Kelantan-Thai border, the operation is also aimed at checking terrorism" he said, adding that Aksem is heeding Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's directive to increase operations against suspected terrorists wishing to enter the country.