Police on alert at border

Police on alert at border

MALAYSIA: Malaysia's deputy leader warned police safeguarding the
country's border with Thailand to be on alert on Monday following
reports of smugglers attacking and threatening officers over the
weekend.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said police should
be armed with sufficient weapons to protect themselves against
potential threats, which have escalated after Malaysia stepped up
patrols along its northern border with Thailand last week to curb
the smuggling of weapons, rice and other goods.

At a meeting with Thai interior minister Wan Muhamad Noor
Matha last week, Abdullah also pledged Malaysia's help to arrest
any suspected criminals from Thailand who attempt to escape
across the border.

Malaysian media reported on Monday that police officials have
been increasingly threatened by smugglers at the border in recent
days. --AP