The Malaysian government plans to construct a security fence along the Kelantan-Thailand border jointly with the flood mitigation project by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID). Home Ministry Policing and Border Security Division secretary Datuk Ab Rahim Ismail said under the first phase, the security fence
The Malaysian government plans to construct a security fence along the Kelantan-Thailand border jointly with the flood mitigation project by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
Home Ministry Policing and Border Security Division secretary Datuk Ab Rahim Ismail said under the first phase, the security fence would be put above the mitigation project, spanning 68km, from Sungai Mentua in Tumpat to Rantau Panjang.
"The joint project will save cost and time, besides providing security to the people." Discussion on the matter is ongoing," he said after meeting state DID director Datuk Mat Rahim Ismail here yesterday.
Ab Rahim said the project would eventually cover a total length of 126km, up to Sungai Lanas in Jeli, but construction would be carried out in stages.
He said work would begin once the proposal was approved by the ministry.
Ab Rahim, who is also Anti-Smuggling Unit director-general, said it was important to set up the security fence as it would curb illegal entry and smuggling activities.
Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Khalid Sharif had said, in March, that a special committee had been set up to study the cost and suitable sites for the project.
Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit had told the Dewan Rakyat last year that the mitigation project, which would resolve flood woes at the Malaysia-Thailand border near Rantau Panjang, would begin sooner, with its first phase expected to start next year.