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