KOTA BARU: Malaysia has deployed some 100 members of the elite Senoi Praaq from the General Operations Force (GOF) to strengthen security along the border with southern Thailand.
"The deployment of the Senoi Praaq team will assist the state's contingent in securing the border, particularly in curbing illegal activities," said Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat.
The Senoi Praaq are named after the Senoi people, an indigenous ethnic group in Malaysia, combined with the term "Praaq," meaning "warrior" in their language.
Their specialised training includes navigating dense jungle terrain, tracking, and unconventional warfare tactics, making them highly effective in counter-insurgency operations, especially in the rugged terrain along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Mohd Yusoff stated that the Senoi Praaq personnel will be stationed at strategic points along the border, further reinforcing security.
The Malaysia-Thailand border is a porous and often challenging region to secure due to its geographical characteristics, including dense forests, rivers, and remote areas. Stretching over 500 kilometres, it separates Malaysia from southern Thailand.
This border area is particularly vulnerable to cross-border criminal activities such as drug smuggling, human trafficking, and the illegal movement of goods.