KOTA BARU: The illegal sales of petrol in Thailand are among topics that were discussed by Malaysian authorities with their Thai counterpart in a series of meetings recently.
Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Azman Ismail said their discussions included finding ways to address the problem.
"The ministry and other Malaysian authorities have held meetings with our counterparts in Thailand to discuss border issues.
"Apart from talking about the smuggling of Malaysian subsidised items like petrol, diesel and cooking oil, we discussed about other smuggling activities."
Azman, however, said the ministry is aware of the sales of Malaysian subsidised petrol in drink bottles and plastic containers along the roadside in the neighbouring country.
"Like I have said before, we can only reduce leakage. But to prevent or put a stop to petrol and other subsidised items from going there (neighbouring country), is impossible.
"Having 96km-long border and with almost all illegal jetties along these areas between Thailand and Kelantan having boats, it is hard to curb these activities," he added.
Despite facing this challenges, Azman said border agencies from both countries have given their assurance that they would beef up checks to curb the matter.
"We (the ministry) has also suggested for the setting up of a fence along the border as one of the way to solve the problem.
"Apart from that, there was also a plan of setting up of a buffer or safety zone that is 100m from the Golok riverbank.
"This zone will be like a recreational area where it will have street lights and other public facilities.
"This is important so that the area will not be dark and enforcement officers will be able to see smugglers clearly."
Azman said these proposals were now with the National Security Council, which is expected to bring them up with the Home Ministry soon.
"Let's us wait for the ministry's move. Hopefully, it will end all this cross-border crimes and the government will not suffer any more losses."
Azman was commenting on NST's report on Malaysian subsidised items which continue to attract consumers in three sub-provinces in Thailand.
Despite it being a subsidised item and only meant for Malaysians, petty traders in the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani continue to openly sell the fuel to local motorists
in these three provinces of the kingdom. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2023/10/972962/malaysian-subsid...)
