Cops Tighten Border Control To Curb Smuggling Of Subsidised Fuel

GURUN, March 17 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysia Police will tighten checks on roadblocks, particularly at border areas, to curb the smuggling of subsidised petrol and diesel out of the country.

Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said there are two main routes in the state that border Thailand, namely at Kubang Pasu and Padang Terap.

He said that while the current situation in West Asia has impacted the global economy, oil prices in Malaysia remained lower than in neighbouring countries.

"Smuggling will occur; as such, we are strengthening enforcement and intelligence gathering to curb such activities.

"We are also tightening border controls. In fact, starting last night in Padang Terap, 24-hour roadblocks have been implemented,” he said after officiating the launch of Ops Selamat 26 in conjunction with the state-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration here today.

He said that Ops Selamat 26 will run from March 19 to 24, and expects about 100,000 vehicles to enter the state during that period, with border areas also expected to experience higher traffic flow.

In another development, Adzli said 262 out of more than 400 temporary permit applications for the sale of firecrackers and fireworks have been approved in Kedah.

Commenting on the firecracker explosion in Kampung Tempoyak, Merbok, near here, yesterday that left a four-year-old boy injured, Adzli said no arrest has been made so far.

"We have recorded statements from the parties involved, and the investigation is still ongoing,” he said.

Bernama had previously reported that a four-year-old boy lost his left index finger and sustained injuries to his right eyelid in the firecracker explosion.

-- BERNAMA