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POLICE in Kelantan have urged residents living along the Sungai Golok to refrain from using illegal routes to cross into Thailand during the Aidilfitri period, warning of stricter enforcement amid heightened risks.
Kelantan police chief Mohd Yusoff Mamat said authorities are closely monitoring the situation, particularly as falling river levels have made it easier for unauthorised crossings to take place.
“The shallow river conditions could create opportunities for certain parties to cross illegally, particularly during the festive season. I urge the public not to break the law and to use legal routes to avoid strict action,” he said.
He added that surveillance and enforcement would be intensified at known hotspots frequently used by both locals and Thai nationals for illegal crossings.
“The public is reminded to use authorised Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes such as those in Rantau Panjang, Pengkalan Kubor and Bukit Bunga,” he said.
Meanwhile, authorities are preparing for a surge in cross-border travel through legal channels. Bakri Sulaiman, deputy commander of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency in Rantau Panjang, said approximately 50,000 travellers are expected to pass through the Rantau Panjang ICQS Complex in the three days before and after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The figure includes both inbound and outbound movements between Malaysia and Thailand, reflecting the seasonal increase in cross-border visits as families reunite for the festival. - March 22, 2026
