Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) is set to expand its operations following a comprehensive review of data collected from 19 entry points into the country, as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin Nasution stated that the Home Ministry has identified a total of 141 entry points, spanning land, sea, and air borders. The ministry will prioritize these points based on the data, guiding decisions on where AKPS will extend its operations. This includes further expansion in regions such as Sabah and Sarawak, with a clear order of priority.
Initially, the focus will be on air entry points, especially international airports. Following Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA Terminal 1), Penang and Kota Kinabalu are identified as the next busiest airports. The announcement was made during a press conference after the official launch of AKPS, which was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. The event was also attended by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
Saifuddin Nasution highlighted that the establishment of AKPS did not necessitate creating new positions, as officers and staff were absorbed from various government agencies. Currently, AKPS employs over 6,000 officers and staff nationwide, including 1,090 officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM). The agency aims to have up to 12,000 staff when fully operational, although it has not yet reached this target.
Personnel from agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, Immigration Department, Wildlife and National Parks Department, Ministry of Health, Road Transport Department, and Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department have also been integrated into AKPS. Saifuddin Nasution clarified that AKPS’s responsibilities do not overlap with other enforcement agencies like the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), which focuses on maritime boundaries.
While the MMEA is tasked with securing 590,000 kilometers of maritime boundaries and handling issues such as illegal fishing, smuggling, and drug trafficking, AKPS will concentrate on monitoring movement at the country’s entry points. As the 11th main agency under the Home Ministry, AKPS is expected to meet key performance indicators (KPIs), including enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring smooth movement of travelers and goods, increasing tax revenue, and strengthening integrity.