Govt To Probe Thai Kids Allegedly Crossing River To Study In Malaysia

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The Education Ministry will investigate reports that students from Thailand are crossing Sungai Golok to attend school in Malaysia daily.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said if the children are Malaysians, they should not have to undergo such a journey as the government provides various education facilities.
“If these children are Malaysians, they should attend school in Malaysia and there should be no safety concerns regarding crossing the river.
“But we will investigate and take note of this matter because the reported number (of students) is extremely high,” she said to reporters in Putrajaya today.
A local daily reported today that nearly 500 students from Thailand used illegal bases to cross Sungai Golok daily to attend school in Malaysia.
A survey found that, as early as 6.30am, the students were already waiting for boats to cross over to Malaysia, at a fee of RM1 per student, with five illegal bases popular with the students, including the Jambu, Ibrahim Pencen, and Paun bases.
Education Minister Fadhlina SidekKelantan police chief Mohd Yusoff Mamat was reported as saying yesterday that the police will arrest any Malaysian using illegal routes to cross the Malaysia-Thai border, especially along Sungai Golok from Dec 1.
He said the police would take action under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 to arrest Malaysians going to Thailand using ungazetted routes.
Asked about students from Thailand and Malaysia going back and forth to study in both countries, he said they need to enter legally through the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex.
Yusoff said the matter had been discussed in the state planning committee meeting. - Mkini

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