Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) is stepping up efforts to curb 'counter setting' activities at the country's entry points, through stricter personnel vetting and policy reforms. Director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the agency is drafting a policy to ensure only officers with clean disciplinary records are deployed at border posts.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, as a new agency involving personnel from Immigration, Customs, and other departments, AKPS has inherited legacy issues that they aim to resolve through proper screening. Counter setting, a term referring to illicit dealings at immigration counters, has long been a concern. Shuhaily emphasized that policy support and internal cooperation were key to addressing this issue.

In a related development, a male immigration officer in his early 30s was arrested today after he was found with nearly RM8,000 in cash and three mobile phones, allegedly in breach of internal directives. The officer, who has only four years of service, has been handed over to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Selangor and is being investigated under Section 17A of the MACC Act.

Shuhaily highlighted the challenge of terminating officers involved in corruption, noting that the lack of a swift mechanism remains a significant issue. He remarked that despite public misconceptions, civil servants are entitled to due process, which can be time-consuming.

In response to these challenges, Shuhaily proposed a more efficient mechanism for removing corrupt public servants. However, he acknowledged that this proposal requires legal review and coordination with the Attorney General's Chambers, Public Services Department, and other stakeholders.