(AFP) The marine polive have deployed 40 patrol boats and surveillance aircraft and arrested hundreds of illegal immigrants in a drive for "zero-entry" this year, a security official said.

Marine police have also asked for 15 new boats to step up the all-out war against illegal immigrants, Internal Security deputy director Mamat Talib told reporters.

"I believe the government is aware of our needs and we hope this request (for new boats) will be approved in order to step up security off our coasts," Mamat said in remarks published today.

Police operations had so far been successful in preventing an expected influx of post-festive season illegal migrants, mostly from Indonesia, he said.

More than 300 would-be immigrants had been detained since Tuesday.

"We are maintaining our vigilance and have about 40 boats with more than 300 personnel including air cover from the police air wing for the task."

Social problems

Malaysia announced earlier this month it would tighten coastal security in the narrow Straits of Malacca and along the northern Penang coast line as it aims for zero illegal entry this year.

The preventive measures are running alongside a plan to deport illegal immigrants already in the country. The government says there are some 450,000 from Indonesia and it will deport about 10,000 every month.

The illegal migrants are said to have contributed to a growth in crime and other social problems, but the tough new line is also seen as a bid to protect jobs for locals in a time of economic hardship.