Each year, Malaysian Government loses more than RM7bil to the
smuggling of goods such as rice, petrol, diesel, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, fertilizer and herbicides.
There is also the matter of firearms being smuggled into the
country, stolen vehicles snuck into neighbouring countries and fake fashion
brands making their way in.The Home Ministry is conducting a feasibility study on the fencing which will also serve as a replacement for existing border fences that are in deplorable condition.
Erecting security fences totaling 2,666km along the nation's borders is being considered as a measure to stop smuggling and people trafficking.
The fencing is for our borders with Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei, and what's being studied is the type of fence, its height, total cost, how it will be guarded and if it needs to be
electrified.
A special committee, known as the Security Fence Technical
Team, is conducting the study that is expected to be completed by early
October. It will then be submitted to the Cabinet.
The borders at the north of the peninsula need about 650km
of fencing while those in Sabah and Sarawak require about 2,000km, said Badrul
Hisham, who is Smuggling Prevention Unit (UPP) director-general.
Source: Agency
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