PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will seek more information on whether any of its citizens were affected in the series of bomb blasts at the Thai border town of Tak Bai, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

       “For now, we have not received news of Malaysians being involved in the incident. We need to seek more information on this,” he said at the Immigration Department Hari Raya open house yesterday.

       Asked if Malaysia-Thailnd borders would be tightened following the incident, Hamzah said security in the area was at a high level even before the bomb blasts occurred.

       Meanwhile, Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said its counters at the Malaysia-Thailand border will remain open.

       “Any decision to close the borders will have to be agreed upon by both countries,” he added.

       The border town of Tak Bai in the Narathiwat province experienced a series of bomb blasts and sounds of gunfire on Wednesday.

       The blasts, which occurred at about 10pm, were even heard in Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat, Kelantan, located opposite Tak Bai.

       Several videos recorded by the public have gone viral on social media, showing raging fires in addition to several men firing rounds, according to Sinar Harian.

       Separately, Bernama reported that Kelantan police will tighten control and increase intelligence operations following the explosion and shooting incident at Tak Bai town.

       Acting state police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said all intelligence units at the border have carried out their duties and so far it was found that Malaysians were not involved in the incident.

       He said the situation on this side of the country was under control and safe as security at the border were constantly being stepped up.

       “From our observations we believe the incident last night had nothing to do with smuggling activities. However, we have to wait for the results of the investigation carried out by the authorities in the neighbouring country,” he told reporters after a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the police headquarters yesterday.

       He added since the Malaysia-Thailand border gate was opened on May 5, enforcement of border security control had been enhanced.