The Indonesian Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department will organise the 19th Indonesia-Malaysia joint Customs Patrol (Patkor Kasstima).

At a press conference on September 2, DGCE Director General Agung Kuswandono said the joint patrol will be carried out in two phases.

The first phase is to take place in Batam, Indonesia, from September 2-15, while the second phase will be conducted in Johor, Malaysia, from October 22 to November 4.

The joint patrol aims at improving law enforcement and customs acts of the two countries, while strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the two custom offices in sea patrol implementation, in both coordinated patrol and routine sea patrols, said Agung Kuswandono.

Malaysian Customs top leader Datok Sri Khazali bin Haji Ahmad said as Indonesia and Malaysian share a long water border, it is crucial for customs agancies of both countries to strengthen information sharing and security to prevent drug trafficking.

Malaysian Customs is to deploy 70 personnel and seven ships for the joint exercise, while Indonesia will send about 100 personnel and nine ships.

After the joint exercise, the two countries will also conduct a bilateral meeting in Lombok, Indonesia this year.-VNA