13/10/2025

MONDAY | OCT 13, 2025

5

11 Chinese nationals held over online gambling ring

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

activities along the Malaysia–Thai border and have issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against those involved, including security personnel. State police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat voiced concern that such activities could potentially bypass security measures even in high-tech locations such as the KL International Airport (KLIA), let alone at the more porous border areas. “I am concerned that even at KLIA, with its stringent CCTV surveillance, counter-setting activities still occur. The situation is even more alarming along surrounding Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas – long yet narrow – continues to pose a major challenge to security forces in controlling cross border activities and smuggling between Malaysia and Thailand. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said despite tighter security measures since the closure of all illegal crossings along the river, unscrupulous individuals continue to attempt to evade enforcement efforts. He said police are monitoring a 45km stretch of the river, supported by 17 General Operations Force posts, each responsible for about two kilometres of terrain. “Controlling the entire river is PETALING JAYA: A group of Chinese nationals was arrested by the Immigration Department in a special operation on Oct 9 for operating an online gambling syndicate targeting foreign markets. Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the group had been carrying out their illegal activities from a luxury residential unit along Jalan P. Ramlee in Kuala Lumpur to avoid detection. The syndicate reportedly used social media platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp to promote their services and communicate with clients overseas. “The operation, which began at 3.50pm, involved a team of officers and personnel from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division based at the Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya,” Zakaria said in a statement. The raid followed two weeks of intelligence gathering and public tip-off. The enforcement team was deployed to the location after sufficient surveillance and evidence had been collected, leading to the arrest of 11 Chinese nationals – 10 men and one woman – aged between 20 and 40. Zakaria said of the 11 detainees, three men and one woman had no valid travel documents or permits to remain in the country, while five others had expired visas. “During the raid, the team confiscated seven Chinese passports, 11 laptops, seven mobile phones, three desktop units and RM3,900 in cash.” He said the group had violated

“I have the relevant information on counter-setting at the border and I am waiting for the right time to act. I am issuing a clear warning to those involved, I will not hesitate to make arrests, regardless of whether they are from the General Operations Force or other units,” he told Bernama during a recent interview at the state police headquarters. Mohd Yusoff described those involved in counter-setting as traitors to the nation, stressing that they are under close surveillance. “When I say that I have information, it means we have solid leads. God willing, arrests will be made.” difficult due to its length, narrowness and numerous illegal routes, especially in the northern areas from Tanah Merah to Jeli, which are surrounded by dense jungle. “At times, smugglers wait for the right moment, and when they see no officers nearby, they quickly cross using small boats,” he said at the state police headquarters recently. Mohd Yusoff added that during the dry season, water levels in Sungai Golok drop, allowing smugglers to dash into southern Thailand on foot within seconds. He also said the situation is often exploited to smuggle various goods and livestock across the shallow river. “The challenges extend beyond land to the vast waters stretching from o Immigration raid after two-week surveillance at luxury property uncovers syndicate targeting foreign markets “Two Chinese men were detained for suspected offences under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, five Chinese men were held under Section 15(4) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and three men and one woman under Section 6(3) of the same Act.” All detainees were taken to the Immigration office in Putrajaya for further investigation. Zakaria reaffirmed the department’s commitment to carrying out consistent and decisive enforcement operations to curb activities that breach national laws. He said such efforts were vital to safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty, in line with the principles and vision of the Madani government. several provisions of Malaysian immigration law.

A Chinese national being questioned by enforcement officers during the raid on Oct 9. – PIC COURTESY OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

Police uncover counter-setting activities in Kelantan KOTA BHARU: Kelantan police have confirmed receiving preliminary information on counter-setting the open and extensive stretch of Sungai Golok,” he said.

arrested and investigated under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act. “Since the implementation of the ban on illegal border crossings, we have seen a significant drop in illegal entries into Thailand. This move has also contributed to a reduction in criminal activities such as drug smuggling and human trafficking,” Mohd Yusoff added. He said as a result of the efforts, police seized contraband worth RM275,455,058 involving 1,335 cases between January and September. During the same period, 62 cross border crime cases under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 were recorded, with 104 individuals arrested for attempting to enter Thailand illegally. security,” he added. Mohd Yusoff revealed that 212 illegal crossings have been identified along the border, with 153 on government land and the rest on private property. “We have issued demolition notices to the public. For the first phase, we will demolish the crossings on government land as they do not involve private landowners. Demolition work is expected to begin in the middle of this month,” he said. He added that awareness campaigns are ongoing, led by district police chiefs in border areas such as Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli, to educate local communities that smuggling and illegal crossings are criminal offences. – Bernama

the Special Branch. He said the measure had proven effective, with illegal crossings into Thailand involving Malaysians dropping by nearly 90% compared with previous enforcement periods. “Reports from my counterparts in southern Thailand show a significant reduction in border activity, including an estimated 85% decrease in the number of entertainment venues in Sungai Golok, with many businesses in the area also shutting down,” he said. On Dec 1 last year, Kelantan police enforced a ban on illegal crossings at unregistered points along Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas. Malaysians attempting to enter Thailand through such routes can be measures, while several other assets are awaiting government approval. “While drug smuggling and human trafficking have declined, attention is now focused on the entry of livestock such as cows and pigs, and rice from Thailand. “Drugs seized in Kelantan are not usually smuggled directly from the border. They are already in the state, which suggests that other routes, including sea routes, are being used,” he said. He also emphasised the strong cooperation between Malaysian and Thai security forces. “We frequently conduct joint operations and hold meetings with Thai Marine Police, and patrol Sungai Golok together to maintain border

On July 24, Bernama reported that an enforcement officer was arrested at KLIA Terminal 1 for suspected involvement in counter-setting, in which immigration officers collaborate with syndicates to facilitate the illegal entry of foreign nationals without proper documentation. The Border Control and Protection Agency later confirmed that the officer had been detained by its Monitoring and Integrity Unit after CCTV footage revealed suspicious behaviour at the immigration checkpoint. Mohd Yusoff said since enforcement of the ban on illegal crossings via unregistered routes along Sungai Golok, security in the area has remained stable, with continuous monitoring by Pulau Tengkorak and Genting to Besut in Terengganu. “The sea is more exposed and expansive, so we hope the Region Three Marine Police Force, currently based in Kuantan, Pahang, will be relocated to Tok Bali in Pasir Puteh to improve the deployment of available assets.” He added that although the force no longer relies on the Senoi Praaq unit, the personnel strength under the General Operations Force Southeast Brigade, covering Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, remains sufficient to address cross-border crime. Mohd Yusoff said police had recently received an armoured personnel carrier to enhance security

Challenging terrain at Thai-Malaysian border hampers enforcement efforts KOTA BHARU: The terrain