Security tightened at Sungai Golok as river levels fall

LocalPolitics
9 Mar 2026 • 8:53 PM MYT
The Sun Daily
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Authorities have intensified patrols along the Sungai Golok border to prevent smuggling as dry weather causes water levels to drop.

KOTA BHARU: Security has been tightened along the Sungai Golok border in Rantau Panjang following a drop in water levels due to the ongoing dry season.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat stated that the General Operations Force, with cooperation from the Malaysian Armed Forces, is working to prevent the smuggling of drugs and firearms, as smugglers could exploit the current geographical conditions.

He confirmed that personnel numbers have been maintained while intelligence operations have been intensified, with daily aerial monitoring conducted using two drones from the Police Air Wing and the Home Ministry.

“So far, no large-scale smuggling attempts into Kelantan have been detected,” he told reporters after presenting Ramadan aid baskets in Kota Bharu.

Mohd Yusoff revealed that Thai authorities had seized about 500 kilogrammes of yaba pills on their side of the border just a day earlier, which were believed to be destined for Kelantan using courier service tactics.

He made these remarks when asked about the security situation at Sungai Golok, where the dry weather has significantly lowered the river’s water level.