KUALA KEDAH: The proposed construction of a 100-kilometre wall along Sungai Golok, spanning the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan, will be tabled at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the ultimate decision-making authority lies with the NSC, which is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"This topic is frequently reviewed during border security discussions within the council. However, the final authority lies with the NSC, chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Defence Minister and Home Minister as members," he said during a press conference today.
Saifuddin added that the suggestion, put forth by Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan, will remain a proposal for the NSC's consideration.
He said that in the meantime, the Home Ministry is currently running a pilot project near the Malaysia-Thailand border in the northern states to explore optimal strategies for securing national borders.
"The government is not idle when it comes to border security. For instance, we are currently testing a proof of concept in Padang Besar, Kangar. This includes a pilot project using fibre optic systems, CCTV, and, in the near future, drones.
"For this proof of concept, we focus on a particular area and phase. Border fencing is one solution, but using advanced technologies is another. We are testing a 40km stretch of border security now," he added.
On Nov 5, Mohamed Fadzli said the Kelantan government would propose a nearly 100km wall along the Malaysia-Thailand border, aiming to curb smuggling and manage flooding.
He highlighted the vast border length as a challenge for security forces and said the proposal seeks to strengthen border security.
He also said that most border land is privately owned, complicating enforcement as smugglers often use unregulated and difficult-to-monitor routes.