Drones more effective than boat patrols along Sungai Golok, say Kelantan police

KOTA BHARU, June 14 — The use of drones is more effective than conventional boat patrols in curbing smuggling activities along the Sungai Golok border, as syndicates can easily detect patrol boats operating in the narrow river, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said.

He said the movement and engine noise of Marine Police patrol boats can be heard from across the border, allowing smugglers to suspend their activities before enforcement personnel can take action.

"The river is too narrow. By the time the boat arrives, people on the other side can already hear it approaching, so they will not attempt to smuggle at that time.

"That is why I believe drone technology is a better option for monitoring the border area before the security wall or fence is fully completed on our side,” he told Bernama recently.

Mohd Yusoff said 300 General Operations Force (GOF) personnel are deployed each month to monitor the 91-kilometre border stretch through 17 control posts.

However, he acknowledged security gaps due to the distance between posts, which can be as far as two to three kilometres and are often exploited by criminal syndicates.

He said syndicates have also taken advantage of changing weather conditions, including periods when Sungai Golok became shallow, to smuggle stolen vehicles into the neighbouring country.

To strengthen border surveillance, blind spots are being monitored by GOF intelligence units, while requests have been made for more advanced drones from the police (PDRM) Air Operations Unit to support integrated operations.

Kelantan police are also using artificial intelligence (AI) technology and high-tech closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to counter syndicates that have increasingly turned to encrypted communication platforms and social media.

To enhance integrity and transparency, all enforcement personnel conducting border patrols, including Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) and GOF personnel, are now required to wear body cameras.

Mohd Yusoff said strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including the buddy system during motorcycle patrols, are enforced to safeguard personnel.

He added that there had been no incidents involving physical threats, confrontations or intimidation against personnel during the one-and-a-half years he has led the state police contingent.

"The police have also intensified random and regular inspections along the border to ensure there is no room for the smuggling of firearms, drugs or other illegal goods through illegal entry points in the state,” he said. — Bernama