RANTAU PANJANG: It is common for those with valid Malaysian identification cards to live in Golok, Thailand, but attend school in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, said a Malaysian student here.
The Form Four student, who wished to be known as Alya said it was not unusual for her to live in Thailand and attend school in Malaysia, as her elder siblings had undergone similar experiences.
"I am not studying here for the sake of it; I genuinely belong here (Rantau Panjang).
"In fact, I have never attended school in Thailand and I have been here since kindergarten.
"We choose to take the river route because it is faster and more convenient, sparing us the long queues at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) in Rantau Panjang.
"It also helps us avoid being late for school.
"We are not engaging in anything inappropriate; we only cross the river to seek education," she said.
Alya said the recent issue involving students using illegal crossings to attend school had somewhat affected her and her peers, making them uneasy.
"We are also worried about what might happen in the future, as we have grown accustomed to this way of commuting to school.
"We hope for a favourable resolution from all parties concerned.
"If we were to study there (Golok), we might have to pay high fees as international students," she said.
Yesterday, parents from both Rantau Panjang and Golok, Thailand, appealed to authorities to permit students to use the illegal crossing at Sungai Golok for their daily journey to school.
They said that most children in Golok attended schools in Malaysia, while some Malaysian students studied in Thailand.
The closure of the illegal crossing creates significant challenges for both groups of students.
On Monday, authorities said any Malaysian crossing into Thailand illegally will be hit with a heavy fine of RM10,000 effective Dec 1, 2024.
Beginning Dec 1, all agencies including General Operations Force (GOF) personnel have been ordered to arrest those crossing over the Golok river via the many illegal jetties along Kelantan/Thai border.
Police also want Kelantanese as well as other Malaysians to stop using illegal jetties and cross to Thailand via legal routes at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complex.
Many Malaysians cross into Thailand for shopping and for the vibrant nightlife which is restricted by the Pas-led Islamic government in Kelantan state.
Locals skip across the river banks during low tide to enter southern Thailand.
The porous border also allows smugglers to thrive since enforcement is difficult.
The narrow Sungai Golok separates Malaysia and Thailand.