KOTA BAHARU: The Home Ministry will study the need to streamline the operation hours at the country’s entry points, especially between the Malaysia-Thailand border, said Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat.
“The decision will be subject to the greenlight from Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. We will then work on streamlining the working hours based on the need.
“If we decide to close all entry points early, those going to Thailand may have to stay overnight (there) if they cannot come back early,” he told reporters after chairing an Kelantan Anti-Drugs Action meeting (MTMD) at the Federal Development Department operations room, here yesterday.
Newspaper reports yesterday said every week more than 30,000 people, mostly Malaysians, crossed the Malaysia-Thailand border through the Bukit Kayu Hitam Customs, Immigration and Quarantine check point after 6pm.
The main purpose of Malaysians crossing the border into Thailand after 6pm is for entertainment since most of the business premises in Danok, Thailand are closed after 6pm.
According to reports, extending entry until 12 midnight invites various social problems like drug smuggling and weapon smuggling.
The Malaysia-Thailand border which spans 646km across Kelantan, Perak, Kedah and Perlis has eight main entry points.
In Kelantan, the main entry point is at Bukit Bunga which operates from 6am to 7pm, Rantau Panjang (6am – 10pm) and Pengkalan Kubor (6am– 6pm).
The main entry point in Perak is Bukit Berapit (6am–11pm) while Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah is open from (6am– 12 midnight) and Kota Putra (8am – 6pm).
The entry points in Perlis are Padang Besar (6am – 10pm) and Wang Klian (8am – 7pm). — Bernama