Home Ministry moves to dismantle financial networks behind Malaysia-Thailand border smuggling

Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah told parliament that the Home Ministry’s crackdown on Malaysia-Thailand border smuggling now includes dismantling the financial and recruitment networks that support the syndicates. Enforcement is being carried out under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

He highlighted coordinated operations—Op Benteng, Op Tiris and Op Taring—and intensified intelligence sharing, particularly in the Padang Besar and Wang Kelian areas. A new national border control system that leverages artificial intelligence and data analytics is under development to link agencies and flag suspicious movements. The ministry reported 25 illegal crossing points identified in Perlis, all under close surveillance, and the General Operations Force recorded seizures totaling RM6.252 million up to August, compared with RM6.57 million for the entire previous year.