Kelantan To Stop Intrusion Via Illegal Jetties, Ready To Assist Affected Residents

KOTA BHARU, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The demolition of illegal jetties on the Kelantan-Thailand border is considered a step in the right direction to combat smuggling, but it needs to be done carefully, said Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan.

He said this was because not all illegal bases along Sungai Golok were built for smuggling purposes, but rather some of them have been used for daily activities of residents for decades.

“This does not mean that we are defending illegal activities, but we are quite understanding of the people in this matter. Not all jetties are for smuggling, some are actually for the convenience of the people including family matters between the people of Kelantan and Pekan Golok.

“We ask all parties to be responsible, not only the state government but also the federal government, to help the people affected because the demolition of illegal jetties can affect their daily income,” he told reporters after the Exco meeting at Kota Darulnaim Complex, here, today.

According to him, the state government has several forms of special assistance such as aid for entrepreneurship, single mothers and businesses that can be used by the people involved, while the federal government through the relevant departments can also come forward to cooperate.

Mohamed Fadzli said the state government would examine each case individually to determine the appropriate form of assistance, in addition to obtaining the cooperation of the Social Welfare Department.

“What is important is that the steps taken by the police are aimed at preventing smuggling, especially involving drugs, not to pressure the people,” he said.

Previously, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat was reported to have said that 153 out of 212 illegal jetties built on government land would be demolished starting next month.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Fadzli announced that there would be no public holiday this Sunday in conjunction with the birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan on September 29 and 30.

-- BERNAMA