Kuala lumpur: The installation of automatic gates at Malaysia's entry points, supervised by the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), is set to commence in the second quarter of 2026, announced Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The initiative aims to reduce physical interactions at immigration counters, streamline processes, and address integrity-related issues.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin highlighted that the adoption of technology represents a crucial step towards enhancing border control, curbing smuggling activities, and managing refugee-related issues in the country. He shared these insights while speaking as a panelist at the MADANI Malaysian Scholars Forum, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and themed 'Integrity and Leadership'.

Earlier media reports indicated that the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) plans to install 635 autogates at 123 entry points under AKPS. Saifuddin stressed that maintaining integrity is essential and non-negotiable in safeguarding national security and sovereignty.

The enforcement agencies under the ministry are tasked with monitoring 600,000 square kilometers of Malaysian waters and face various cross-border criminal threats. These threats include the smuggling of drugs, firearms, cooking oil, diesel, and petrol, as well as piracy, illegal immigrant entry, and refugee-related concerns.

Saifuddin pointed out that the region is a hotspot for synthetic drugs, with 80 percent entering via maritime routes. He emphasized the need to embrace technology, as continuing with the same methods will not yield better outcomes.

The forum also featured the presence of Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) chief executive officer Datuk Ts Ahmad Ramdzan Daud and Prof Dr Datuk Abdul Rahman Embong of the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).