KUDAT: Another Remote Sensor Site (RSS), which is a vital component of the Sea Surveillance System (Swasla), is to be built on Pulau Malawali, Banggi, to strengthen the enforcement capabilities of security agencies in protecting the country against any incursions and external elements, particularly in northern Sabah.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Government has allocated RM88 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the construction of the RSS.
He said the investment is essential to ensure that the assets and operational capabilities of the national security forces remain in line with current challenges, including those involving illegal routes or “rat trails” along the Malaysia-Philippines border.
Saifuddin said the Government is optimistic that an integrated approach and the use of advanced technology will continue to bolster field enforcement to ensure the security of the nation’s borders, protect economic interests and safeguard the wellbeing of the people.
Furthermore, the Government has also approved several development and procurement projects, including the reconstruction of the Kudat Maritime Zone operations office valued at RM73.5 million and the addition of 10 speedboats to improve patrol efficiency in Sabah’s waters.
Saifuddin said the Balambangan RSS is capable of detecting up to 70 per cent of suspicious targets, equivalent to approximately 6,000 incidents per year.
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“Since 2015, the Balambangan RSS has recorded over 152,000 detections, with 260 successful apprehensions made, including the detention of 21 Philippine nationals, the seizure of foreign fishing vessels and the thwarting of animal and controlled goods smuggling activities.”
According to him, the area is a “hotspot” for cross-border crimes such as smuggling of controlled goods, entry of illegal immigrants and encroachments into national waters.
Saifuddin also said the Government is strengthening enforcement along the nation’s borders through an integrated approach to curb smuggling and leakages, particularly in the high-risk northern Sabah waters.
He said the move also takes into account the impact of geopolitical tensions in West Asia on the national economy, especially fuel supply and prices, as well as the implementation of targeted subsidies under the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative.
He said the Government remains committed to safeguarding economic stability and public welfare through subsidies to keep fuel prices at reasonable levels.
However, he noted that smuggling and subsidy abuse continue to undermine these efforts, prompting the Cabinet to direct stricter enforcement, including at petrol stations near border areas.
“Monitoring over eight days from April 13 to 21 showed 91 out of 170 petrol stations in border areas recorded a 20 per cent drop in RON95 sales, while RON97 sales increased, indicating possible leakages,” he told reporters after inspecting operations in the north-western coastal waters of Sabah and visiting the Balambangan Remote Sensor Site (RSS) on Pulau Balambangan, near Banggi.
Also present were Esscom Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos, MMEA Director-General Datuk Rosli Abdullah, Deputy Home Ministry Secretary-General (Security) Dato’ Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman and Internal Security and Public Order Acting Director Datuk Faisol Salleh.
Saifuddin personally led the inspection to assess the effectiveness of strategies implemented by enforcement agencies, including along illegal routes at the Malaysia-Philippines border.
He said the Government is emphasising inter-agency cooperation and data sharing to enhance operational effectiveness, supported by modern surveillance technology such as the RSS system.
According to him, the area is a hotspot for cross-border crimes, including smuggling of controlled goods, illegal entry of undocumented migrants and encroachment into national waters.
He said field inspections are crucial to ensure policies are effectively implemented on the ground.
He added that integrated operations have yielded results, including the arrest of undocumented migrants in Kota Marudu, seizure of 800 litres of diesel in Pulau Banggi and enforcement at fuel outlets to prevent subsidy leakages.
