Aidi Ismail
KUCHING (Aug 23): Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail welcomes the idea for an additional General Operations Force (GOF) battalion to beef up security along the Malaysia – Indonesia border.
He added that the Sarawak police contingent needs more GOF personnel on the ground especially in the Kapit division.
“This is especially so when the division is expected to feel the impact when Kalimantan is to become the capital of Indonesia,” said Aidi when contacted yesterday.
He was responding to news reports of Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Zainal Abidin Kasim saying that Sarawak needs an additional battalion to beef up the state’s border security.
According to Zainal, the battalion may be stationed in Kapit due to it being the nearest point to the new Indonesian capital.
Zainal also pointed out that there is currently only one GOF company being stationed in Kapit.
Due to the sheer size of the division, he said one company would be insufficient to ensure complete safety along the borders.
He also added that the huge number of ‘Jalan Tikus’ in Kapit is also a major concern making it vital for the additional GOF batallion in the state.
Zainal also opined that if nothing is being done now, Sarawak could face an increase in smuggling activities and entry of illegal immigrants.
There are currently three GOF battalions in Sarawak namely the 10th battalion in Sibu, 11th battalion in Kuching and 12th battalion in Miri.