KOTA KINABALU: The Defence Ministry has further strengthened 'Ops Benteng' to endure illegal immigrants seeking to enter the country will not escape its dragnet, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was crucial because Malaysia could not risk its borders from becoming a source of infection.
"Ops Benteng is not just focused on the peninsula, but also Sabah and Sarawak. We need to strictly monitor because when people cross the borders, they may bring the virus without us knowing.
"Also, the illegal immigrant problem is an ongoing issue in Sabah. We know where all these illegal immigrants come from and we must act firmly against them.
"That's why we are taking action with the help of other enforcement agencies," he said.
Ismail was speaking to reporters after visiting an Armed Forces (MAF) veteran at Kampung Numbak in Sepanggar here, today.
On whether the Defence Ministry would hold talks with the state government on the issue, he said the matter was under the purview of the Home Ministry.
"Sabah has its own autonomy on immigration but we cooperate between the federal and state level immigration.
"My ministry focuses on 'Op Benteng' led by the armed forces. When it comes to tackling immigrants, we help in preventing illegal entry and coordinating with other uniformed units under national security council," said Ismail.
Earlier, Ismail presented aid to non-pensionable navy veteran Abdul Zahid Said, 35, as part of the MAF veterans 'Ziarah Cakna' programme. The aid includes financial assistance, food, and a boat.
The minister said there are currently about 30,000 non-pensionable veterans who have yet to receive RM500 one-off government aid for military veterans as they are not registered with the MAF's veteran welfare department.
In Sabah, there are 12,000 MAF veterans with only two-thirds of them being registered with the department.
"Sometimes, these veterans don't know (about the registration) and that's why we go to the ground to inform them. Some veterans are also staying in Sabah and Sarawak interiors, hence they don't have access to information.
"Therefore, we are asking associations to help us track down and identify veterans. Get them registered," he said, adding every district has its own MAF veterans association.
Meanwhile, Zahid thanked the Defence Ministry for looking after veterans' welfare.
The Semporna-born served in the navy from 2005 to 2017. He was forced to take an early retirement to look after his ill-wife.
"Life is hard during these tough times. I am doing odd jobs to get various sources of income as long as the works is 'halal'," said the father of five.
After retiring from the navy force, Zahid became a fishmonger an does contract jobs at the Sepanggar RMN base.