Home Ministry targets financiers behind border smuggling syndicates

KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is targeting financiers, recruiters and financial networks behind smuggling syndicates operating along the Malaysia-Thailand border.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said enforcement efforts went beyond arresting undocumented migrants and seizing prohibited goods.

"Our integrated enforcement efforts go beyond arresting undocumented migrants, seizing prohibited goods and combating human smuggling.

"They also seek to dismantle the entire syndicate network, including smugglers, financiers, recruiters and their financial networks," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to Rushdan Rusmi (PN-Padang Besar), who asked about measures to combat smuggling through illegal border crossings in Perlis.

Shamsul Anuar said action was being taken under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom).

He said joint operations and intelligence sharing among enforcement agencies were being strengthened through initiatives including Op Benteng, Op Tiris and Op Taring, particularly in Padang Besar and Wang Kelian.

On border surveillance, he said the ministry was developing a national border control system that would integrate artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and real-time intelligence sharing among enforcement agencies.

"The system will link information directly between enforcement agencies, enabling the analysis of suspicious movement patterns and rapid responses in high-risk areas," he added.

Shamsul Anuar said authorities had identified 25 illegal border crossings in Perlis as of September, all of which were under close surveillance.

The General Operations Force recorded seizures worth RM6.252 million up to August this year, compared with RM6.57 million for the whole of 2025.