KOTA BHARU, June 13 — Family ties in Malaysia have been identified as a key factor attracting illegal migrants, including Rohingya as well as Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals, to enter the country through the Malaysia-Thailand border.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said many viewed Malaysia as their final destination rather than Thailand because they had family members or relatives here who could provide support upon arrival.

He said the factor was particularly significant among the Rohingya community, many of whom were willing to take great risks to enter the country illegally.

“Malaysia is their final destination. The main reason is that they have family members or relatives who have long settled in this country and serve as a support system when they arrive here.

“For the Rohingya in particular, these family ties play a major role in their decision to enter Malaysia,” he told Bernama recently.

Mohd Yusoff said illegal entries through the Malaysia-Thailand border remained an almost daily challenge for enforcement authorities.

As such, he has directed all district police headquarters (IPDs) in Kelantan to intensify operations against illegal migrants and not rely solely on the General Operations Force (GOF).

“I have issued firm instructions to all IPDs across Kelantan to carry out continuous operations, particularly against migrants entering through Thailand,” he said.

Based on police observations, most migrants use Thailand as a transit point before continuing their journey to Malaysia.

According to Mohd Yusoff, Thai authorities generally do not face issues involving large numbers of migrants as long as they do not remain in the country for extended periods

On the presence of Rohingya communities in Kelantan, he said police had identified settlements in several locations, including Tanah Merah.

However, he stressed that the situation remained under control and was being closely monitored by the authorities.

Although migrant-related matters generally fall under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department of Malaysia, Mohd Yusoff said police continue to play a role in maintaining security and monitoring foreign communities in the state.

“This monitoring is important to ensure that any criminal elements or social problems can be prevented and do not affect public safety and order,” he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reminded Rohingya refugees in the country to comply with local laws and regulations or face stern action.

He said while Malaysia adopts a humanitarian approach, the group must still comply with the country’s laws, including rules on the use of premises and business operations. — Bernama