MIRI: Sarawak and Sabah will soon have their own Anti-Smuggling Units (UPP) set up under the Malaysian National Security Council (MNSC) to prevent illegal immigrants sneaking in, as well as smuggling in firearms from neighbouring countries.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the UPP is necessary for both states because of the vast sea boundary of Borneo.
“In principal, MNSC has agreed to set up UPP in Sarawak and Sabah and it is only awaiting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to announce the setting up of these units,” he told a press conference yesterday.
“Our Sarawak water and land boundaries are still easily encroached by illegals sneaking into the state due to CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) centres being limited at the boarders to check entries of people.”
He said UPPs are needed in both states to prevent human trafficking, drugs and firearms smuggling, adding that units have already been set up in Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan.
On claims by local fishermen that some personnel of enforcement agencies were assisting illegal immigrants, Wan Junaidi said the government will not compromise if this is proven to be true.
“If there is any incident, we will report to SPRM (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and monitor their activities and action will be taken,” he stressed.