This follows the shooting incident at the border near Padang Besar, Perlis, between members of the General Operations Force (GOF) and a group of smugglers on Tuesday, in which one GOF personnel was killed and another seriously injured.

It was also reported that a GOF personnel suffered a minor injury after being shot at while on duty at the border near Bukit Kayu Hitam yesterday evening.

Eighteen suspects – three Thais and 15 Malaysians – have been remanded to assist in the investigation into Tuesday’s shooting incident.

Bernama also quoted Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Abd Rahim Jaafar as saying the GOF tasked with controlling the border will change their patrol strategy and system to curb smuggling activities.

Without revealing details, Rahim said the change was due to frequent shooting incidents in the area which caused injuries to GOF personnel.

Besides tightening control at the border so smugglers cannot penetrate, he said, the GOF personnel will patrol the fenced area of about 30km to 40km and keep in contact with the Thai authorities.