GOF Nabs 20 Myanmar Nationals Entering Malaysia By Boat At Sungai Golok

KOTA BHARU, May 10 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force (GOF) Battalion 7 arrested 20 Myanmar nationals who were believed to have entered Malaysia by boat via Sungai Golok near the Malaysia-Thailand border in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, yesterday.

GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said all of them were arrested by members of the Intelligence Branch of the Southeast Brigade Headquarters together with the Intelligence Branch of GOF Battalion 7 through Op Taring Delta at about 8 am.

He said members who were conducting patrols spotted two vehicles in suspicious conditions before following and arresting both vehicles in the parking area of ​​Sultan Ismail Petra Mosque, Rantau Panjang.

"The two drivers of the vehicles involved, however, fled and failed to be detected. Inspection found that 20 Myanmar nationals were in the passenger compartment, 11 in a Toyota Innova and nine in a Nissan Serena," he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Radzi said the results of the check found that only seven individuals had passports but no valid entry stamp into Malaysia while 13 others failed to produce any identification documents.

"GOF also seized seven passports, 22 mobile phones and two vehicles with a total value of the seizure estimated at RM88,200," he said.

According to him, initial investigations found that all the suspects entered Malaysia by boat across Sungai Golok via an illegal route around Rantau Panjang.

"Although they were unable to identify the exact location of the landing, police believe the group used the Yasin Illegal jetty as an entry point.

"All suspects stated that the entry fee was between RM3,000 and RM6,000 per person depending on the destination after being sent to the final location or obtaining employment," he said.

GOF believes the modus operandi shows that the migrant smuggling syndicate is still active using the river route as the main entry point into the country.

"All arrests and seizures have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Pasir Mas district police headquarters for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said.

-- BERNAMA