SIBU: Steps have to be taken to further strengthen security at the border if it is true that Sarawak’s northern border is very porous in order to prevent bad hats from exploiting the loopholes.
It was reported on April 26 that a resident of Ba Kelalan, Tadam Arun, had claimed that a tar-sealed road to Long Bawan built two years ago, had opened the floodgates for smuggled goods to flow across the border.
He further claimed that the new road was also a boon for car thieves as they could now drive the stolen vehicles across the border.
According to Tadam, smuggling activities though rampant in the past were in small quantities, but with the good road, stolen vehicles of all makes and brands, subsidised Malaysian goods including petrol, sugar, cooking oil, and even drugs could all be found there.
Tadam also claimed of the lax control at the checkpoint being the reason smuggled goods and stolen vehicles could cross the border with ease.
“If it is true that Sarawak’s northern border with Kalimantan Indonesia is very porous, this is something for the relevant agencies to look into.
“I find the report of smuggling and lack of security as alarming as this could lead to bad hats using it for human trafficking and smuggling,” said Assistant Minister of Social Development (Youth) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“We do understand that safeguarding the international border is not easy but the security of this nation cannot be compromised.
“The problem in Lahad Datu is a good example of what could happen if we take security for granted.
“Don’t wait until a major problem arises before we start looking for a solution to the problem,” he said.
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