Kuala lumpur: Border control will continue to be tightened by all enforcement agencies, particularly the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), following a bomb blast in Tak Bai, Narathiwat province, Thailand that injured two Malaysians last Monday. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said although the incident occurred outside Malaysia's borders, the safety and security of personnel on duty, as well as Malaysian citizens, remain a priority.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Adly emphasized the importance of maintaining robust border controls and stated that any incidents in surrounding areas will be closely monitored. He assured that security measures would be enhanced without neglecting efforts to curb smuggling activities involving all enforcement agencies. He addressed these points while speaking to reporters after officiating the East Coast Edition of the Jelajah Wira Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) 2026.
Adly mentioned that cooperation with the Thai military is being strengthened through regular communication and discussions under the Border Committee mechanism, tackling issues of mutual concern to both countries. He highlighted that Malaysia maintains good relations with ASEAN member states, including in the area of security information-sharing, to help safeguard the well-being of the people.
Media reports previously stated that two Malaysians were injured after the vehicle they were travelling in was badly damaged in a bomb explosion on a road in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat, last Monday. The victims, Abdullah Syarapi Abd Rahman, 45, and Muhammad Yusri Udin, 38, were holidaying in Narathiwat at the time of the incident. They received initial treatment at Narathiwat Hospital before being brought back to Malaysia for further treatment at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital.
Meanwhile, Adly said the Defence Ministry will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident that left two Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel injured during heavy weapons training at Hobart Camp, Kedah, on June 29. He stated that the investigation would focus on the two key aspects of human factors and the technical condition of the equipment or weapon involved.
Adly stated that although such incidents are rare, every occurrence will be thoroughly assessed and improvements made to prevent a recurrence. He assured that once the investigation report is completed, appropriate follow-up actions in accordance with standard procedures will be determined. Findings from the investigation would also be used to strengthen standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance personnel safety.
At 6.05 pm on the day of the incident, a 29-year-old corporal trainee sustained injuries to his left knee, while a 35-year-old sergeant trainer suffered injuries to his left thigh. Both were participating in a multi-weapons training exercise, which began on the same day and concluded today.