SOME rods taken by PGA Sarawak.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) has successfully carried out nine operations under Op Taring Alpha, Op Taring Bravo, and Op Taring Awas/Batas, with total seizures valued at RM6,099,662.50.
According to ACP Rosdi Hinai, Deputy Commander of the Sarawak Brigade, these operations are a reflection of the ongoing commitment by the GOF to address smuggling and cross-border illegal activities across Sarawak.
“These successful operations are the result of strategic planning, intelligence sharing, and the relentless dedication of our personnel. We remain committed to protecting national interests and maintaining border security,” said Rosdi.
The first success under Op Taring Alpha took place on 7 May 2025 at around 10.45 am when a team from the Risk Branch of the 12th PGA Battalion in Miri raided a premises suspected to be used for storing untaxed cigarettes and liquor.
The operation resulted in the arrest of three individuals where two local men aged 26 and 29 and an Indonesian man aged 28.
Seized items included 7,400 cartons of white cigarettes, 3,160 cartons of kretek cigarettes, 201 cartons of liquor of various brands, and one motorcycle. The estimated value of the seizure is RM3,092,300.
The second success, also under Op Taring Alpha, occurred on 11 May 2025 at around 5.59 pm when a team from the Intelligence Branch of the 11th PGA Battalion in Kuching raided a premises in Kuching suspected of storing untaxed cigarettes.
One local man aged 25 was arrested, and 2,848 cartons of white cigarettes of various brands were confiscated. The estimated value of the seizure is RM1,014,220.
The third success under Op Taring Awas/Batas took place on 10 May 2025 at around 4.20 am in the Lundu district. A team from the 11th PGA Battalion stopped three motor trucks believed to be transporting onions without valid permits.
Three local men aged between 39 and 45 were arrested. A total of 16,200 kilograms of onions and three motor vehicles were seized. The estimated value of the seizure is RM924,000.
The fourth success also under Op Taring Awas/Batas occurred on 7 May 2025 at around 2.30 pm when a team from the 11th PGA Battalion raided a truck in Bau district suspected of transporting frozen food products without permits.
One local man aged 49 was arrested, and 5,000 kilograms of cold meat and one motorcycle were seized. The estimated value is RM385,000.
The fifth success took place on 10 May 2025 at about 3.50 am when a motor truck in Lundu district suspected of transporting cooking oil without a valid permit was intercepted.
One local man aged 45 was arrested. A total of 4,182 kilograms of cooking oil and one motorcycle were confiscated. The estimated value of the seizure is RM228,855.80.
The sixth success under Op Taring Bravo was recorded on 8 May 2025 at about 8.15 am when a lorry in Debak was stopped by the Intelligence Branch of the 23rd PGA Battalion, Sri Aman.
It was suspected of transporting petrol, subsidised diesel, and gas cylinders without valid permits. One local man aged 40 was arrested, and 1,260 litres of petrol, 750 litres of diesel, 20 LPG gas cylinders, and one motorcycle were seized. The estimated value is RM211,545.50.
The seventh success under Op Taring Awas/Batas occurred on 8 May 2025 at around 6.00 am when a patrol team from the 23rd PGA Battalion in Sri Aman detected suspicious packages near the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Tebedu.
The patrol team found four boxes and two plastic-wrapped packages containing 244 cartons of white cigarettes of various brands. The estimated value of the seizure is RM166,408.
The eighth success took place on 9 May 2025 at about 8.45 pm when a four-wheel-drive vehicle suspected of transporting cooking oil without a valid permit was stopped in Lundu. One local man aged 19 was arrested.
A total of 1,428 kilograms of cooking oil and one Toyota Hilux were confiscated. The estimated value of the seizure is RM69,853.20.
The ninth success under Op Taring Awas/Batas occurred on 5 May 2025 at about 5.30 pm when a motorcycle was stopped on an ungazetted road along the Malaysia–Indonesia border in Lubok Antu.
The vehicle was believed to be transporting cooking oil and rice for smuggling into Indonesia.
One Indonesian man aged 53 was arrested. Seized items included 100 kilograms of cooking oil, 20 kilograms of rice, and one motorcycle. The estimated value is RM7,480.
According to Rosdi, the Sarawak GOF Brigade’s operations from 1 January to 12 May 2025 have recorded a total of 170 cases involving the arrest of 277 individuals, comprising 205 locals and 72 foreigners.
A total of 174 vehicles of various types were confiscated, and the overall estimated value of seized items throughout this period is RM234 million.