Govt to set up agency to police country’s entry points, says Saifuddin

THE GOVERNMENT has agreed to establish a Malaysia Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) under the Home Ministry to serve as a frontline body at the country’s entry points, including ports.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it will be responsible for undertaking border control services and inspections in an integrated and comprehensive manner at land, sea and air entry points.

MCBA’s role is to enforce laws governing the admissibility of people, goods, vehicles and cargo at all entrances to Malaysia, he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

The move is based on a cabinet discussion on January 3 this year. The matter was followed up upon at the cabinet meeting earlier today.

“In general, the implementation of MCBA is a national agenda in empowering three main aspects,” he said.

These include improving the efficiency of service delivery at entry points of the country and reducing leakage of the country’s revenue, he said.

The third aspect is to improve aspects of integrity among law enforcement in controlling and performing inspections on, among others, people, goods, vehicles, animals and plants that are coming in.

Saifuddin added that the MCBA will be headed by a director-general.

He extended his congratulations to Datuk Sri Hazani Ghazali on his appointment as the director-general effective today.

Hazani has 37 years of experience in national security and public order, as well in law enforcement and control.

He is a former commander of the Eastern Sabah Security Command and former director of the Police force’s Internal Security and Public Order Department.

Saifuddin noted that he has been serving in the police force since 1987.

Hazani has been entrusted to carry out special challenging operations to counter criminal activities like smuggling and robberies, as well as raids to capture terrorists, he said.

Saifuddin also said that the MCBA Bill is expected to be tabled during the session of Parliament in March in order to institutionalise and implement the agency. – The Vibes, January 31, 2024