Krabi: The issue of illegal immigration will be the main focus of a bilateral meeting between the General Operations Force (GOF) and Thai authorities to be held in Krabi from June 10 to 12. The meeting is aimed at strengthening the Malaysia-Thailand border security control.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain stated that the meeting would serve as a platform to strengthen cooperation and intelligence sharing in efforts to curb cross-border criminal activities, including human smuggling.

Ahmad Radzi highlighted that the increase in the influx of immigrants is believed to be driven by global economic factors and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which are impacting many countries. He explained that this situation has led many immigrants to seek countries capable of offering a better standard of living, with Malaysia being seen as a preferred destination.

"We believe that more immigrants will try to enter the country through illegal routes, and the GOF will enhance control to ensure that no breaches occur," he noted during a press briefing following the handover of duties ceremony for Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan (OTWK) at the GOF Tactical Headquarters in Pengkalan Kubor.

In addition, Ahmad Radzi reported that the GOF Southeast Brigade recorded 51 cases of illegal immigrants through OTWK from January 1 to May 8, involving 318 individuals, with Myanmar nationals making up the highest number at 227 people. He also mentioned that syndicates are now detected using sea and river routes around Tumpat to smuggle in immigrants, involving land coordinators from several other states. Furthermore, the GOF Eastern Brigade has recorded seizures worth RM195 million since January.