PASIR MAS: The Dec 1 ban on illegal border crossings will remain in effect, despite all illegal jetties along the Kelantan-Thai border being submerged by floodwaters.
State police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said that the situation would not be taken lightly.
"I've been informed that Thailand, particularly southern provinces like Narathiwat and Yala, has also been hit by flooding.
"On our side of the border, there are no longer any illegal jetties. It seems that smuggling activities and cross-border crimes will not take place during this flood. However, we will continue our vigilance. Police will maintain border surveillance, and enforcement of the ban on illegal crossings will begin as planned tomorrow," he said.
The stricter enforcement measures, which were recently announced by the state police, aim to address illegal crossings at the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act, those caught violating the ban, including students using illegal routes, could face fines of up to RM10,000.
Mohd Yusoff also said that 303 students, who live in Thailand but cross the Sungai Golok River illegally into Kelantan daily for school, will be given four options before the crackdown begins.
They can either stay in their school's hostel (if available), lodge at another institution, rent a house near the school, or enter Malaysia through the ICQS complex.