KL increases security at Thai border

KL increases security at Thai border

MALAYSIA: Marine forces will step up security in the waters along the Malaysian-Thailand border ahead of an expected surge in smuggling activities, an official in Kuala Lumpur said on Wednesday.

Abdul Aziz Ahad, acting Chief of the East Coast Marine Police, said authorities expected a rise in the smuggling of rice and fireworks ahead of next week's Eid-al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan.

He said a team had already been sent to the border off Malaysia's eastern state of Terengganu to monitor security.

Smuggling activities, both of goods and illegal immigrants, are rampant along the border, with often using the countries as transit points. --AFP