AI radar, long-range cameras planned for Kudat maritime border
KUALA LUMPUR: The government plans to acquire artificial intelligence (AI)-powered radar and long-range cameras for the Kudat maritime border in Sabah in 2028 to strengthen surveillance and security.
The Malaysian government intends to procure AI-driven radar and extended-range cameras for the Kudat maritime border in Sabah by 2028, as part of a plan aimed at bolstering surveillance and security measures. Deputy Home Minister Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah declared this during a recent Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat, in response to a motion by Riduan Rubin (Independent-Tenom) demanding stronger security along the Sabah-Philippines maritime border.
The focus of this endeavor is primarily on the waters surrounding Kudat, Pulau Banggi, and Pulau Balambangan, situated before Balabac Island in the Philippines.
Dr Shamsul Anuar explained that these areas have been flagged for continuous surveillance and enforcement due to their strategic location, expansive waters, and the presence of sea routes potentially utilized for illegal entry and cross-border criminal activities. This initiative is part of the broader efforts under the Third Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan, with enforcement operations already underway to counter the influx of undocumented migrants via illicit routes.
Recent statistics from ESSCOM underscore the need for this intervention. Arrests of undocumented migrants in Kudat surged by 79.4% in 2025, reaching 122 individuals from 68 in 2024. Marine police Region 4 documented six cases involving 23 arrests in 2025, up from four cases in the preceding year, while the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recorded 30 cases involving 91 foreign nationals arrested from 2025 to September 2026.
However, these figures should not be misconstrued as a direct count of attempted incursions or the prevailing threat level, as the reporting scopes of each agency are distinct.
Dr Shamsul Anuar also highlighted the importance of diplomatic channels and bilateral cooperation in strengthening anti-smuggling efforts. This includes the ninth Malaysia-Philippines Joint Commission meeting held in Manila last August, and the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) comprising Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Such collaborations aim to extend the scope of efforts beyond mere border detention, targeting the syndicates that orchestrate these illegal activities.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
