Malaysia to curb arms smuggling

Malaysia to curb arms smuggling

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia will tighten security on the border with its northern neighbor Thailand to prevent weapons from being smuggled into the country, a report said Sunday.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was quoted by the Malay language Mingguan Malaysia as saying that the government suspects a large number of arms are being brought in from Thailand.

The authorities believe a local Muslim militant group -- the Malaysian Mujahideen -- had purchased weapons from Thailand, he said.

"We impose tight border checks ... but the smugglers are smart, they are able to smuggle (arms to Malaysia)," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently warned that Malaysia was seen as a new center for Islamic terrorism and said foreigners were concerned about rising militant activities in the country.