12-11-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian state authorities in Kelantan have unveiled plans to propose the construction of a 100-kilometre border wall along its frontier with Thailand’s Narathiwat province, in an ambitious bid to combat cross-border crime and enhance flood protection.
Deputy Chief Minister Mohamed Fadzli Hassan announced that the state government would seek federal approval for the project, acknowledging the challenges security forces face in monitoring the extensive Malaysia-Thailand border. The proposal, first suggested by the state police chief, aims to address persistent security concerns along the Kolok River, which forms a natural boundary between the two territories.
Speaking to Bernama news agency on Tuesday, Hassan highlighted the complexities of border surveillance, particularly noting that many riverside locations fall under private ownership, complicating enforcement efforts. The proposed wall would span the entire length of Kelantan’s border with Narathiwat province, potentially serving a dual purpose as both a security measure and flood defence infrastructure.
The initiative follows intensified efforts by Malaysian authorities to curb smuggling activities along the Thai border. Similar border barriers already exist in other Thai provinces including Satun, Songkhla and Yala, with some constructed as joint ventures and others as unilateral projects.
