Rantau panjang: The General Operations Force (GOF) Battalion 7 arrested 20 Myanmar nationals who were believed to have entered Malaysia by boat via Sungai Golok near the Malaysia-Thailand border in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, yesterday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain reported that the arrests were made by members of the Intelligence Branch of the Southeast Brigade Headquarters alongside the Intelligence Branch of GOF Battalion 7 during Op Taring Delta at approximately 8 am.
The operation began when patrol members detected two vehicles under suspicious circumstances, which were subsequently tracked and intercepted at the parking area of Sultan Ismail Petra Mosque, Rantau Panjang. The drivers of the vehicles, however, managed to flee and remain at large. Upon inspection, authorities found 20 Myanmar nationals occupying the passenger compartments-11 in a Toyota Innova and nine in a Nissan Serena.
Ahmad Radzi disclosed that of those apprehended, only seven individuals carried passports, yet none bore valid entry stamps into Malaysia. The remaining 13 individuals lacked any identification documents. GOF also confiscated seven passports, 22 mobile phones, and two vehicles, estimating the total value of the seized items at RM88,200.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the group entered Malaysia illegally by crossing Sungai Golok by boat, likely using the Yasin Illegal jetty as their point of entry. While the exact landing spot remains undetermined, the suspects revealed that they paid an entry fee ranging from RM3,000 to RM6,000 per person, contingent on their final destination or employment prospects.
The GOF believes the incident is indicative of an active migrant smuggling syndicate utilizing river routes as a primary entryway into the country. All individuals and confiscated items have been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Pasir Mas district police headquarters for further proceedings. The case is currently being investigated under Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.