KOTA BARU: The issue of the students who live in Thailand and cross the Golok River to attend schools in Kelantan has been addressed, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said some of them agreed to stay at their school's hostels while others decided to live with their relatives.
"This issue has been solved. We have found a solution to this issue, and the students have been given several options, including accommodation in the school's hostels," she said.
Speaking to reporters after visiting flood victims at SK Demit here tonight, Fadhlina said many prefer to stay at the hostels and at their relatives' homes.
"The ministry will find the best solution for these students as we do not want them to miss their studies," she said.
The Immigration Department director-general, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, today said the department is considering the introduction of a special lane at Rantau Panjang's Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complex to ease the daily commute of Thai students attending schools in Malaysia.
He said that the Kelantan Immigration Department was ready to assist in facilitating the movement of these students and will open the special lane if the demand arises.
So far, he said 34 students aged between 12 and 17 have applied for a border pass at the Rantau Panjang checkpoint.
Currently, he said there were seven check-in counters and five check-out counters at the Rantau Panjang ICQS for pedestrians, motorcycles, and trucks.
If the need arises, he added, the department would open a special lane for these Thai-border students.