'Hot Pursuit' Decision Will Make Fight Against Cross Border Crimes More Effective

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The willingness of the Philippines in allowing Malaysian security forces to hunt down kidnappers will help to increase efforts to curb cross-border crimes. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director-general Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said the decision will make efforts to tackle crime by both countries more effective. "Cross-border crimes should be tackled together as they cannot be done by one country," he said commenting on the decision of Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte in allowing the security forces of Malaysia and Indonesia to pursue kidnappers in the country's waters. The decision was announced after Duterte's meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Putrajaya on Thursday. In KOTA KINABALU of east Malaysian state Sabah, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Yahya Hussin said the cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines would enhance security in the east coast region. "We did the same thing when fighting the communists where Thailand allowed our troops to enter their territory to hunt the communists," said Yahya, here on Friday. --BERNAMA