IPOH: More police personnel will be stationed near the country's borders ahead of their April 1 reopening, says Comm Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

       The Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director said additional enforcement personnel would be deployed as the country prepares for the border reopening.

       "We are always prepared because that is our duty.

       "Even when the borders were closed, some smuggling activities were detected," he told reporters at the senior police officers' mess hall here Friday (March 11).

       "We will wait for the standard operating procedure (for the reopening) and get ourselves ready," he added.

       On March 8, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Malaysia will reopen its borders to international travellers on April 1.

       In January, Comm Hazani said there were more than 8,000 cases related to smuggling of illegal immigrants, contraband items and wildlife last year.

       He said enforcement activities will be carried out on both land and sea.

       "I have already ordered our horse unit to be placed at borders in Perlis and Kelantan," he added.

       Separately, Comm Hazani said he welcomed all non-governmental organisations (NGO) to join the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Charity Ride.

       "In conjunction with the upcoming 215th Police Day, together with the Ipoh Super Biker Club, we rode and visited almost all police stations in Peninsular Malaysia.

       "We went to Johor, Melaka, Pahang, Kelantan, Kedah and Perak (and will head to) Selangor tomorrow," he said.

       "On each visit, we presented donations to police personnel who are ill," he added.