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

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this initiative is seen as a vital measure to enhance border control, curb smuggling activities, and manage refugee-related issues within the country. Saifuddin made these remarks while participating as a panellist at the MADANI Malaysian Scholars Forum, which was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and themed 'Integrity and Leadership'.

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

He further noted that enforcement agencies under the ministry are tasked with monitoring 600,000 square kilometres of Malaysian waters, facing various cross-border criminal threats. These threats include the smuggling of drugs, firearms, cooking oil, diesel, and petrol, along with piracy, illegal immigrant entry, and refugee-related issues.

Saifuddin emphasized the regional significance of these challenges, stating, "Our region is a hotspot for synthetic drugs, with 80 per cent entering via maritime routes. We cannot keep doing the same things and expect better outcomes. That is why we must embrace technology."

The forum also featured 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).