Closer watch on tourists leaving Malaysian waters

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will keep closer surveillance on tourists leaving Malaysian waters during Aidilfitri to prevent them from entering third countries illegally.

Director-general Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish said 2,000 members had been directed to step up surveillance along the coastline to prevent such activiites during the festive season.

"We fear that tourists from Afghanistan and Pakistan will use the Aidilfitri festive season to illegally enter a third country like Australia.

"They may feel that security will be lax during Aidilfitri," he told reporters after presenting cookies to MMEA members who would be on duty during Aidilfitri.

Mohd Amdan said of the 932 spot checks carried out nationwide in Sept and Oct last year, 66 cases involved offences on permits and licences, encroachment by foreign fishermen and entry of illegal immigrants. - NST