GURUN, March 17 — The Royal Malaysia Police will tighten checks on roadblocks, particularly at border areas, to curb the smuggling of subsidised petrol and diesel out of the country.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said there are two main routes in the state that border Thailand: Kubang Pasu and Padang Terap.
While the current situation in West Asia has impacted the global economy, oil prices in Malaysia have remained lower than in neighbouring countries.
"Smuggling will occur; as such, we are strengthening enforcement and intelligence gathering to curb such activities.
"We are also tightening border controls. In fact, starting last night in Padang Terap, 24-hour roadblocks have been implemented,” he said after officiating the launch of Ops Selamat 26 in conjunction with the state-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration today.
Adzli added that Ops Selamat 26 will run from Thursday (March 19) to Tuesday (March 24), with 100,000 vehicles expected to enter the state during that period, with border areas also expected to experience higher traffic flow.
In another development, 262 out of over 400 temporary permit applications for the sale of firecrackers and fireworks have been approved in Kedah.
Commenting on the firecracker explosion in Kampung Tempoyak, Merbok, yesterday that left a four-year-old boy injured, he said no arrest has been made so far.
"We have recorded statements from the parties involved, and the investigation is still ongoing,” Adzli said.
Bernama had previously reported that a four-year-old boy lost his left index finger and sustained injuries to his right eyelid in the firecracker explosion.
