A LOCAL man suspected to be a “tekong darat” (ground coordinator) was arrested together with 20 illegal immigrants in Kampung Banggol Chica, Pasir Mas, near Kota Baru, this morning.

Pasir Mas police chief Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said the group’s movement was detected at 6.15am when members of the patrol car unit spotted a van being driven in a suspicious manner in Kampung Lubuk Kawah, Pasir Mas.

He said police had ordered the driver of the van to stop but he sped off.

“After chasing for 7km, the van driver, who had lost his way, finally stopped at the roadside in Kampung Banggol Chica at 6.30am,” he said in a statement today.

“The arrested immigrants are from Myanmar, comprising 17 men and three women aged between 17 and 40.

“All of them are suspected to have entered the country illegally via the Malaysia-Thailand border.” – Bernama, May 8, 2022.