Tarakan Police And Malaysian MMLO Intensify Border Security Cooperation
TARAKAN - Tarakan City Police Chief, North Kalimantan (Kaltara) AKBP Erwin S. Manik received a visit from the Malaysian Military Liaison Officer (MMLO) at the Tarakan Police.
The MMLO delegation was led by Mejar Mohd Shah Rezuan bin Md Yusof along with a number of Malaysian military officials. Tarakan Police Chief AKBP Erwin S Manik led his staff in charge of narcotics, water police, and port security.
"This meeting was not just an agenda for friendship, the two parties discussed a number of actual problems on the Indonesia 'Malaysia border, ranging from illegal mobility, smuggling, to potential marine security vulnerabilities," said AKBP Erwin, Wednesday, November 19.
In the discussion, Erwin continued, the Tarakan Police highlighted the high mobility cross-border which often takes advantage of monitoring gaps, both through traditional sea routes and unofficial crossings.
"The mode of smuggling of consumer goods, fuel, and allegations of human trafficking is referred to as a recurring issue and requires a more coordinated response," he explained.
The Tarakan Police Chief assessed that collaboration with Malaysia is no longer just a good relationship between agencies, but a practical need to control threats that have a direct impact on regional security.
"Border crimes do not recognize national boundaries. Improvement of coordination is a must," he said.
During the meeting, the Malaysian MMLO emphasized the importance of exchanging real-time intelligence sharing to deal with increasingly dynamic cross-border crime patterns.
"They also proposed strengthening joint patrols at points prone to sea borders, which have been the favorite route for smuggling networks," he said.
"The police together with MMLO Malaysia are committed to following up on several technical steps, including increasing the frequency of operational communication, a new mechanism for data exchange, as well as a joint review plan at a number of vulnerable points," he said.