JOHOR BARU, Aug 5 — The Johor police will not be intimidated by threats including violent retaliation by smugglers, its chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said today.
He said a group of smugglers using Johor’s eastern coastal areas for human trafficking and contraband smuggling recently made the threat, warning to not take action against such vessels.
“Among the threats included a shootout [with enforcement agency personnel] if monitoring and inspection continue to be carried out on boats entering the waters in Johor’s eastern side.
“I want to make it clear that this is not Colombia, but Malaysia and Johor. The police will not tolerate such criminal threats that intimidate law enforcement personnel in carrying out their duties,” he told the press here.
Ayob Khan said this was based on a report made yesterday by an unnamed maritime enforcement agency after they were threatened by a human trafficking syndicate.
He said a report was lodged yesterday and police are investigating the background of the three suspects to ascertain if they are members of a human trafficking or contraband smuggling syndicate.
On the concerns of the residents in Johor’s eastern coast, especially in Sungai Rengit, Sungai Tiram and Kota Tinggi, who fear for their safety as the area is used by smugglers, Ayob Khan said police welcome them to lodge reports.
He said residents who have information or are threatened by the syndicates should not be afraid as the police will carry out their duty and protect them.
“Johor police will not tolerate any smuggling activities by syndicates, more so if they threaten [law enforcement agencies]. This is Johor,” said Ayob Khan.
Johor’s eastern coast is a known area for human smuggling, including illicit liquor and cigarette smuggling. This is due to the areas porous coast and its proximity to Indonesia’s Batam Island.
Since March this year, police have stepped up anti-human smuggling operations as part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The smuggled people are seen as potential carriers of the coronavirus and their free movement into and out of the country through illegal channels pose a health and security hazard.
