Police strengthen security on Malaysian border

JAKARTA. West Kalimantan Police are beefing up security at Malaysian border crossings that are prone to smuggling.

Around 54 “tiny paths” spread out across five regencies were often out of reach of security monitoring activities, West Kalimantan Police chief Brig. Gen. Musyafak said on Monday.

He added that he had instructed police precinct chiefs in the five regencies bordering directly on Malaysia to strengthen monitoring of the “tiny paths”.

The five regencies are Sanggau (with the Entikong border crossing), Kapuas Hulu (Nanga Badau crossing), Sintang (Jasa crossing), Bengkayang (Jagoi Babang crossing) and Sambas (Sajingan crossing).

“Strengthening security in the border areas should be conducted not only in connection with the upcoming Idul Fitri celebration but also for the future,” said Musyafak.

The police chief said he had visited two of five border posts, namely in Entikong and Nanga Badau, on Saturday. Each border crossing was guarded by 85 to 90 personnel from the respective police precincts in the areas.

“Specifically for security in border areas, we have strengthened the posts with 25 to 30 additional officers,” said Musyafak.

Musyafak said that during his visit to the Nanga Badau border, he crossed into Lubok Antu in Malaysian to coordinate with the Royal Malaysian Police and the Immigration Office.

He said cross-country cooperation was needed given the high prevalence of illegal activities, such as the smuggling of drugs, sugar, fertilizer and processed food, conducted via border crossings. (Severianus Endi)