PASIR MAS: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the issue on the construction of Malaysia-Thailand border wall will be discussed with the National Security Council (NSC).
He said like the setting up of a similar wall in a northern state, the issue need to be decided by the NSC.
"I was told that there were suggestions made by the Kelantan government and the state police on the setting up of wall along the Kelantan border with Thailand.
"I believe NSC will look into this and if it is ready to talk about this, NSC will call for discussion," he said at the closing of Madani Prison Commissioner General's One Leader One Village programme at SMK Tanjong Bunga here today.
However, Saifuddin said, while waiting for the construction of the border wall, which involves huge costs, the ministry had taken several other initiatives, including laying fibre along 40km along the border in Perlis.
"In the next few weeks, we will use drones to monitor the border.
"We will take other approaches in dealing with cross-border crimes." On Nov 5, the Kelantan government announced plans to propose a 100km border wall with Thailand to the federal government.
Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the project aimed to combat smuggling and address flood issues.
The Thai government on Thursday said it agreed to set up a flood wall along Sungai Golok, focusing on Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.
Narathiwat Governor Acting Sub- Lieutenant Trakul Thotham said the move would solve flooding and prevent smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
He said the wall along the river on the Thai side, which was set up a few years ago, helped to reduce flooding and cross-border crimes.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the construction of a security and flood wall along Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang would assist the General Operations Force (GOF) in curbing cross-border criminal activities.
He said the proposed construction of a security wall in the border area would also facilitate the deployment of GOF personnel for border surveillance.