KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 — Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today said he has put in a request for the return of the National Task Force (NTF) after they were disbanded just six days ago.
Mohamad Hasan, also known by his moniker Tok Mat, said he hopes that the NTF can be re-established as they were an essential part of the country’s efforts in navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthening border control from cross-border crime through Ops Benteng.
“Yesterday, I asked that the task force’s revival be considered, and the Cabinet has been informed about this,” he said when delivering a new year’s message at Wisma Pertahanan this morning.
Mohamad said the chief secretary of state will examine the request because the NTF is a coordinated effort involved in national security and defence.
He then praised NFT-led operation Ops Benteng, saying it had succeeded in reducing cross-border crimes such as the entry of illegal immigrants and smuggling.
“Since its establishment on May 6, 2020, until its dissolution on December 31, 2022, the NTF has managed to make 26,477 arrests, 4,415 confiscations involving vehicles, ships, and boats as well as 4,314 deportations, with a total of RM1.09 billion worth of seizures.
“I’m confident that all this success would not have been achieved if not for the strong cooperation between the Armed Forces, the public, and other agencies the military,” he said, adding that this collaboration is the best approach for keeping the nation’s borders safe.
The NTF, set up at the start of the pandemic, involved 18 different law enforcement agencies and government security agencies with the objective to curb the spread of Covid-19.
It was officially disbanded on December 31 last year.
