By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, May 20: Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang suggested that the Sarawak government establish border guards to complement the federal government’s efforts in ensuring tighter security control along the porous Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
He added that the border guards should be part of the already-established coastal guards, which was part of its initiative to further tighten its border security for both land and sea.
“I will bring up this issue in the next DUN (State Legislative Assembly) sitting as I think Sarawak should have its own border guards to look after our border. I hope it will spark the idea (for its establishment),” Idris told DayakDaily when contacted today.
Idris said, as a former probationary inspector of the Border Scouts before pursuing his studies, the Border Scouts have contributed immensely towards the current peace in Sarawak.
“My Border Scout serial number is BS 5312. I was recruited as a probationary inspector for Border Scout. To me, it (Border Scout) played a crucial role in combating the communists insurgency before (in the 60s-80s),” he said.
Idris agreed with the suggestion made by deputy chief minister and chairman of Border Security Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing for mulling the idea for Sarawak to increase the number of border security personnel to deter thr smuggling of essential goods and drugs.
Meanwhile, Masing revealed that two weeks ago, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Ugak Kumbong and his entourage had encountered 10 Indonesians in the jungle on the Sarawak side while visiting a General Operations Force (GOF) post at Long Singut, Ulu Baleh.
“Apparently, they have been in and out of this area many times over the years. They have links with Sarawakians from Kapit or Sibu who supply them with food,” he said.
Masing opined that the smuggled syabu found at the Tebedu border two days ago, could be a clue as to what their Indonesian and Sarawakian counterparts were trading at the border in Ulu Baleh.
“These people may be involved in smuggling drugs from Indonesia to Malaysia. The Sarawakians so-called traders pick up the drugs from the Indonesians and sell them to rural towns and settlements in Sarawak.
“It is for this reason that the Sarawak government is mulling over the establishment of a permanent base to guard jalan tikus (illegal routes). Jalan tikus maybe the smuggling routes not only for food stuff but also for drugs. So, the Malaysian government must investigate this possibility.
“It’s no use for us to guard our airports and ports (front door) while our back yards are wide open for smugglers,” said Masing.—DayakDaily
