{
  "id": 1867689,
  "title": "Kelantan police vow firm action against ‘tonto’ used to block enforcement in human‑smuggling cases",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/kelantan-police-vow-firm-action-against-tonto-used-to-block-1867689",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T04:56:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/19/kelantan-police-vow-firm-action-against-tonto-used-to-block-enforcement-in-humansmuggling-cases/231890"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KOTA BHARU, Aug 19 — In response to a recent incident where two General Operations Force (GOF) personnel were struck while performing their duties, Kelantan police have pledged to take strong action against human-smuggling syndicates employing 'tonto' tactics to impede enforcement vehicles. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat revealed that the incident demonstrated the growing audacity of these criminal networks, emphasizing that such behavior would not be accepted. Speaking at a press conference at the Kelantan Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK), Mohd Yusoff stated that human smuggling is a grave concern and that the assailants' actions were extremely unacceptable. He announced that all parties implicated would face consequences under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), along with Sections 353 and 186 of the Penal Code. Additionally, police have uncovered instances of human-smuggling activities via sea routes and rivers along the Kelantan coast, and law enforcement agencies remain watchful against such operations. Although the incident involving the GOF personnel is currently deemed isolated, Mohd Yusoff urged field officers, particularly GOF members and the Kelantan IPK task force, to stay vigilant and act appropriately within the law when confronted with threats. On Aug 15, a land-based smuggler carrying six undocumented Myanmar women collided with two GOF personnel during an inspection at Kampung Chat Palekbang, Tumpat, before being apprehended.",
  "summary": "KOTA BHARU, Aug 19 — Police will take firm action against human-smuggling syndicates using ‘tonto’ to...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Kelantan police vow firm action against ‘tonto’ used to block enforcement in human‑smuggling cases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/kelantan-police-vow-firm-action-against-tonto-used-to-block",
        "published": "2026-08-19T04:56:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}