Surveillance on workers tightened

Sun, 04 Mar 2001 | Source: AFP

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has ordered stricter security and surveillance along its coastal areas to prevent an influx of Indonesian illegal immigrants, reports said Saturday.

Marine police, the navy and military have been ordered to increase patrols especially in the interior areas of the Sabah and Sarawak state on Borneo island, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was quoted as saying by The Sun newspaper Malaysia's long border enabled immigrants to sneak in easily, he said.

"There are no barriers to prevent them from entering... we do not have thick forests or swamps preventing their entry," added Abdullah, who is also home minister in charge of police.

"We hope the Indonesian government will do their part in preventing their citizens from leaving the country without valid travel documents."

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