BUKIT KAYU HITAM, Sep 3 — Security controls at the Malaysia-Thailand border will be stepped up following developments and incidents in southern Thailand, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The move is vital to ensure the nation's security and sovereignty are preserved and to prevent any untoward incidents from spilling over into Malaysia's border areas.
"We are doing this not just because of activities like crime and smuggling, but also considering the incidents and current situation in southern Thailand.
"So, we want to ensure our country remains safe and can avoid any possible untoward incidents," he told the media after a working visit to the 5th Battalion of the Border Regiment (5 RS) at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Camp today.
Khaled added that 5 RS, established to guard the country's borders, played a crucial role in protecting the nation's sovereignty, especially along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Border controls are carried out continuously, 24 hours a day, year-round, through patrols and operations conducted with other security agencies.
Regarding the strength of 5 RS, he said the camp currently has sufficient personnel to carry out its responsibilities, given that border control operations from Perlis to Kelantan also involve several other Army camps.
Personnel from several camps, including those in Gerik, Perak and Kelantan, carry out border control operations on a rotational basis to ensure their capacity and readiness remain high.
This rotational approach is also vital to ensure personnel from various Army formations and camps gain experience and competency in conducting border control operations.
Meanwhile, in his speech at the event, Khaled said the Defence Ministry will prepare a Cabinet memorandum to expedite the allocation for the camp's development.
The memorandum includes comprehensive camp development and the construction of 205 Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT) units.
"For the RKAT, we have planned and submitted it to the Public-Private Partnership Unit, and we are asking the government to expedite the approval so that married personnel can live in one area," he said.
During the working visit, the minister was also briefed on the camp's development, border operations and security, as well as the important role of 5 RS in ensuring the nation's sovereignty and border security remained at the highest level.
Khaled then inspected the construction of 10 new accommodation blocks at the camp, a project that began on June 20, 2024, and was fully completed on February 13 at a total cost of RM44.87 million.
