BANGKOK, 14 JAN – The Malaysian Armed Forces got a first-hand, on-site exposure and experience from their Thai counterparts, on controlling riverine borders.
The valuable move comes in the wake of challenging efforts to curb illegal activities related with the smuggling of drugs and prohibited goods, the influx of foreign migrants and even cross-border crimes along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Malaysian Defence Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Abdul Rahman and his officers were briefed on the matter by the Royal Thai Navy commanders from the Mekong Riverine Unit (MRU) during a site visit to one of the riverine border control posts in Thailand.
A defence ministry posting cited how the MRU was tasked with the responsibility of controlling and ensuring safety of the Mekong River, as well as matters related to it.
The Mekong River is stated to be the 12th longest in the world with a distance of about 4,880 kilometres, flowing from the Tibetan Plain in the north through Yunnan in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The Mekong River is also the 10th largest river in the world in terms of volume and produces 475 cubic km of water per year, while its basin is 812,000 square kilometres.
Except for China and Myanmar, all the other countries through which the Mekong River flows are part of the MRC.
“The MRU is working closely with the MRC in the control of the Mekong River security along Thai soil with the placement of seven control posts.
“MRU also cooperates with Laos and Cambodia in the aspect of patrolling the Mekong River at the border of the two countries with a patrol range of about 917km.
“The main problems faced by the MRU in making security controls against the Mekong River are related to the smuggling of drugs and prohibited goods, the influx of foreign migrants and even cross-border crimes,” the ministry posted. – airtimes.my
