KUCHING: If fences or walls are built along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border to address illegal entry, they should be equipped with the latest technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in surveillance and monitoring.
This was proposed by Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) secretary David Xavier Hii Chin Loung when he was commenting on an earlier suggestion by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing for fences or walls to be constructed at strategic locations along Sarawak’s 1,032km border with Kalimantan as a permanent solution to illegal entry and illegal immigrants.
“The building of fences or walls at strategic locations along the border may be effective to a certain extent, but without constant border surveillance, some illegal immigrants may still be able to infiltrate into Sarawak territory,” said Hii when contacted on Wednesday (Jan 20).
While noting that border monitoring was indeed a complex challenge, he said using the latest technology, including AI, would greatly assist monitoring where human participation was limited to a certain extent.
“The fences or walls should be built with a network of AI-enabled cameras and sensors which will then be connected to control centres. AI-enabled surveillance towers can also be built at ‘hotspot’ areas.”
He said AI-enabled technology could process surveillance images from the border more effectively, efficiently, and accurately compared to humans.
Hii added that there were even some sensors that could detect human footsteps.
“Surveillance drones can be used for monitoring as they can scan a land area within a 30km radius, meaning a lot of ground can be covered.
“Biometrics technology such as facial recognition can also be used to identify illegals which will lead to a faster arrest.”
