Kuala lumpur: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the current situation in West Asia has impacted the global economy, but oil prices in Malaysia remained lower than in neighbouring countries. Datuk Adzli highlighted that smuggling is likely to occur due to this price disparity, prompting the need for stronger enforcement and intelligence gathering to combat such activities. He emphasized that border controls are being tightened, and 24-hour roadblocks have already been implemented in Padang Terap starting last night.

Ops Selamat 26, which was launched in conjunction with the state-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, will run from March 19 to 24. Datuk Adzli expects about 100,000 vehicles to enter the state during this period, with increased traffic flow anticipated in border areas.

In another development, Datuk Adzli reported that 262 out of more than 400 temporary permit applications for the sale of firecrackers and fireworks have been approved in Kedah. Regarding the firecracker explosion in Kampung Tempoyak, Merbok, which left a four-year-old boy injured, no arrests have been made yet. Statements from the parties involved have been recorded, and the investigation is ongoing. Bernama had previously reported that the boy lost his left index finger and sustained injuries to his right eyelid in the incident.