RANTAU PANJANG: The government has allocated nearly RM11 million for the construction and repair of General Operations Force’s (GOF) new posts, roadblocks, frontline posts and tactical bases.

GOF Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Hasan Basri Ahmad Safar said the allocation was given out last year.

He said RM8.7 million of the amount was for the construction of 12 GOF new posts that were set up along the Sungai Golok Integrated River Basin Development Project.

“The project is expected to be completed in 2023. Apart from that, the Government also allocated about RM2.27 to repair five frontline posts, five roadblocks and two Tactical Companies for the GOF,” he said.

Besides that, Hasan Basri said the government through the Home Ministry has allocated another RM700,000 for the GOF’s basic needs such as beds, mattresses, pillows and others.

He said the role of GOF’s intelligence unit in carrying out Ops Benteng is also important to prevent smuggling and cross-border activities along the border.

“This unit has been equipped with modern devices and equipment such as termal imagers, night vision goggles and others to help in their operations.

“Apart from the armoured cars, they were also given 40 new four-wheel-drive Nissan Navara and Ford Ranger vehicles that will be used for survelliance,” he said.

Hasan Basri added the Southeast Brigade would continue their cooperation with other border agencies to prevent smuggling activities along the Kelantan/Thai border.

Besides the Army, he said other border agencies are Malaysian Border Security Agency(Aksem), Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, Customs Department, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department(Maqis) and the State National Security Council.