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PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Kelantan’s top cop says building a security wall along Sungai Golok isn’t just a good idea – it’s a must to tackle smuggling, flood risks
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KOTA BHARU, Oct 13 — Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said that the proposed construction of a security wall along Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang is no longer an option but a strategic necessity to curb smuggling activities, mitigate flood risks, and safeguard the country’s sovereignty along the Kelantan-Thailand border.
He said the narrow and shallow geographical features of Sungai Golok make it difficult to maintain effective security control through conventional means - even with the assistance of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones, or closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance.
“Sungai Golok is very narrow. Even with advanced technology, maintaining control remains difficult as it only takes minutes for someone to cross over to Thailand.
“That is why I would like to propose to the government to expedite the construction of a security wall or fence along the river buffer zone,” he told Bernama at the state contingent police headquarters recently.
He said the proposal would not only strengthen border control but could also serve a dual purpose - functioning as both a security barrier and a flood mitigation structure to prevent the frequent overflow of river water affecting the border areas.
He added that of the 163-kilometre Kelantan-Thailand border, about 91 kilometres consists of river boundaries, while the remainder is on land. Therefore, the installation of a security wall or fence could be implemented according to the suitability of each area.
He noted that the border terrain in Kelantan is far more challenging compared to other border states such as Perlis or Kedah, as the distance between the two countries in certain areas, particularly in Tanah Merah and Jeli, is only a few metres apart.
“As Sungai Golok is narrow and shallow, it provides easy access for livestock and contraband smuggling. The proposal to build a security wall has been discussed for some time, and I hope it can be implemented soon as it remains the most effective solution,” he said.
He also stressed that surveillance through drones, cameras and automated monitoring systems alone is insufficient, as these technologies still require continuous human supervision.
Technological tools such as drones and CCTV have limitations, as drones still require human operation while CCTV only records incidents without immediate response, he added.
Based on his year-long observation in Kelantan, he said the construction of a security wall remains the most comprehensive solution to curb border smuggling, noting that developed countries such as the United States and Mexico have adopted similar measures for more effective border control.
During the monsoon season, smugglers find it easier to cross the border as rising waters from Sungai Golok often submerge the boundary line, allowing them to enter Malaysian territory by boat - sometimes reaching as far as Pasir Mas and Meranti.
“When the river overflows, the border line disappears, and smugglers from Thailand take advantage of the situation.
He added that flood conditions also complicate police operations, as some border control posts and stations become inundated, limiting patrols to boat operations. However, these efforts are further constrained as personnel are also required to assist flood victims.
During the dry season, the low water level in Sungai Golok allows smugglers to easily cross the border on foot within minutes.
He said the proposed security wall would enhance safety for police and other enforcement agencies, including the General Operations Force, particularly during floods when patrols by boat are limited.
“This is not just about security but also about safeguarding national sovereignty. The wall is a long-term investment for the future,” he said.
In November last year, Bernama reported that the Thai government had welcomed the Kelantan government’s proposal to the federal government for the construction of a security and flood control wall along the Sungai Golok-Rantau Panjang border.
Narathiwat Governor Trakul Thotham was reported as saying that such a structure would be an important step in tackling cross-border crime. — Bernama
KOTA BHARU: Pembinaan empangan mampu mengatasi masalah banjir yang sering melanda kawasan tanaman padi bawah seliaan Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Kemubu (KADA).
Pengerusi KADA, Khalid Abdul Samad berkata, perkara tersebut sudah dimasukan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMK13) bersama kerja-kerja menaik taraf infrastruktur pengurusan air yang lebih menyeluruh di kawasan berkenaan.
“Pembinaan empangan ini sangat diperlukan kerana mampu menampung jumlah air berlebihan pada musim tengkujuh. Bagaimanapun, perkara ini berada di bawah tanggungjawab Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS).
“KADA sedang memperkukuh persiapan bagi menghadapi musim banjir yang dijangka berlaku hujung tahun ini, termasuk meningkatkan keupayaan sistem pengurusan air di kawasan sawah dan takungan utama,” katanya selepas Sambutan Hari Sukan Negara peringkat KADA di Pusat Latihan Pertanian KADA di Melor, di sini hari ini. – UTUSAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Pelaburan dalam ketahanan dan kesiapsiagaan lebih memberi pulangan jangka panjang berbanding tindakan reaktif selepas berlakunya sesuatu bencana, kata Pengerusi Kumpulan Rentas Parti Parlimen Malaysia-Pengurusan Risiko Bencana (APPGM-DRM), Zahir Hassan.
Menyambut baik pembentangan Belanjawan 2026 pada Jumaat lepas, beliau berkata pihaknya menghargai usaha kerajaan dalam menyediakan peruntukan itu dengan mengambil kira perkara sedemikian termasuk RM2.2 bilion bagi 55 projek Rancangan Tebatan Banjir (RTB).
"Langkah ini menunjukkan pendekatan proaktif untuk melindungi nyawa, mata pencarian dan kestabilan ekonomi jangka panjang," katanya dalam sidang media di Parlimen di sini, hari ini.
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ketika membentangkan Belanjawan 2026, turut mengumumkan peruntukan RM460 juta untuk Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara dan RM210 juta kepada Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia bagi membangunkan Sistem Amaran Awal.
Zahir, yang juga Ahli Parlimen Wangsa Maju, berkata APPGM-DRM bersama dengan Pusat Pencegahan dan Kesiapsiagaan Bencana memberi komitmen untuk terus memainkan peranan sebagai jambatan antara pembuat dasar, institusi pendidikan dan masyarakat dalam memperkukuh agenda daya tahan negara.
"Sempena Hari Antarabangsa Pengurangan Risiko Bencana, kami sekali lagi menyeru semua pihak untuk membiayai daya tahan, bukan bencana - memastikan setiap pelaburan hari ini memperkukuh keselamatan, kelestarian dan kemakmuran negara," katanya.
Zahir juga berkata dengan kos bencana global dianggarkan hampir AS$2.3 trilion, Hari Antarabangsa Pengurangan Risiko Bencana yang disambut setiap 13 Okt mengingatkan bahawa setiap ringgit yang dilaburkan dalam pengurangan risiko dapat mengelakkan kerugian jauh lebih besar.
– BERNAMA
With La Niña on the horizon, Malaysia prepares for above-average rainfall and flood risks this monsoon season
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KUANTAN, Oct 13 — The disaster operations control centres (PKOBs) at all levels will be activated ahead of schedule to ensure effective monitoring and coordination before the northeast monsoon (MTL) 2025/2026 begins in early November, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today.
He said that the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecasted that the upcoming monsoon season, which is expected to last until the end of March 2026, will be influenced by a weak La Niña phenomenon.
“This condition could result in between five and seven episodes of continuous heavy rain, surpassing the usual average of five per season,” he said in a statement following the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP) Meeting No. 2/2025, which he chaired earlier today.
The meeting was attended by state secretaries, who serve as Chairpersons of their respective State Disaster Management Committees (JPBN), along with representatives from various agencies.
According to the forecast, Sabah is expected to receive above-average rainfall from November through February 2026, while peak rainfall is anticipated in December across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Sarawak, and Sabah.
“The risk of major floods will increase if persistent rain coincides with high tide events. MetMalaysia will issue Continuous Rain Warnings (Alert, Severe, Danger) at least three days in advance to enable swift response measures,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
On mitigation efforts, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, noted that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has reported a significant reduction in flood hotspots, from 4,619 locations last year to 3,683 this year.
“This positive development is the result of ongoing government flood mitigation projects. However, continued commitment from state governments is essential to ensure that flood prevention efforts are implemented effectively,” he stressed.
As part of long-term preparedness strategies, the meeting also approved the construction of a Permanent Disaster Relief Centre (PPBK) in Jerantut, Pahang, to strengthen community-level disaster resilience.
“The project is expected to begin in 2026, in collaboration with the state government and relevant technical agencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that 34 high-risk critical slopes across the country are now equipped with Early Warning Systems (EWS) for geological disasters such as landslides.
“I have mandated the Department of Minerals and Geoscience to act as the national coordinator for monitoring high-risk slopes, and to work closely with other government agencies and private sector partners,” he added. — Bernama
MIRI (Oct 14): The construction of a concrete drainage system at Tudan Phase 4 residential area here to address flooding issues has been fully completed last week, said Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.
Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, said the project ― which commenced on June 16 this year ― was completed four months ahead of schedule.
“This area experienced flooding earlier this year. Under my Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) project, we secured an allocation of RM300,000 to construct a concrete drain here.
“The drain measures 272 metres long and one metre wide. With the completion of this drain, along with the main earth drain, along with the clearing of the main earth drain, I believe the flooding problem will no longer recur in this area, particularly for about 10 houses that were previously affected,” he said when met after inspecting the project site yesterday.
Lee commended the contractor for completing the project ahead of schedule, noting that it was originally expected to be completed by February next year.
He said the Public Works Department (JKR) for its close monitoring to ensure the project’s smooth implementation without delays.
“Contractors who perform well will be recorded in our list, so that when they take part in future tenders, we can give them priority.
“Meanwhile, contractors who often delay projects or face issues — which we refer to as ‘sick projects’ — will be placed on a separate list.
“We want to prioritise those with good performance, who comply with specifications and complete projects according to schedule,” Lee added.
Also present was Miri Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) assistant engineer (Urban Drainage Section) Awang Nur Rosman Awg Kipli.