Interior Minister Sar Kheng issues security directive

Interior Minister Sar Kheng has issued a border security directive. KT/Mai Vireak

Interior Minister Sar Kheng yesterday issued a directive calling on all police officials to strengthen security and prevent cross-border crimes.

Mr Kheng said that the purpose of the directive is to strengthen stability, security and public order through the collection of border intelligence reports regarding possible crimes.

“It is for the protection of citizens and to crackdown on all crimes, especially terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling of arms and the transportation of illegally logged wood,” he said.

Mr Kheng said police must cooperate with the members of the private sector to control and educate their staff regarding laws regulating migration.

According to the directive, Mr Kheng ordered police officials to be vigilant and inspect border crossings thoroughly while at the same time facilitating legal migration.

“We must take measures to protect our borders effectively,” Mr Kheng said. “We must also close down unofficial border checkpoints.”

Y Sok Khy, director of the Anti-terrorism and Transnational Crimes Department at the Interior Ministry, said that all police officers must continue to prevent border crimes in order to strengthen the country’s security.

“We are all in this together and we must strengthen peace and security for our country,” Mr Sok Khy said.

Hou Sakun, a director at the Interior Ministry’s Central Border Police Department, declined to comment yesterday.

Mr Kheng added that border provinces must prioritise security to prevent crimes.

“We have a lot of work to do to improve the security of our borders and we must crackdown on transnational crimes,” he said. “We must close all illicit corridors because they allow the transport of illegal goods, as well as human and drug trafficking. I want to encourage all officials on all levels to prioritise this task.”

Khmer Times
Khy Sovuthy