PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and related agencies to intensify operations against the illegal importation of electronic waste (e-waste) into the country.
Its Director-General, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the Prime Minister wanted AKPS to cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) as well as related agencies to combat the activity.
"The Prime Minister has strictly ordered that if there is any enforcement officer involved in providing protection and taking bribes in the smuggling activity, strict action must be taken regardless of who it is," he said.
Speaking at the AKPS Director-General's investiture ceremony, he said the issue of integrity among all the country's enforcement agencies was once again raised by the Prime Minister to the point that he openly said he had lost patience.
"I have raised the issue of integrity in AKPS since the beginning of my entry. Since then, cooperation with the MACC and our Immigration Department has intensified and as a result, 39 people have been arrested by MACC, some have been charged and disciplinary action has been taken.
"...what is certain is that the list of those involved in counter setting or flying passports has not yet reached its final point. Intelligence information and complaints are still being received, but evidence has not yet been obtained," he said as reported by Bernama.
Mohd Shuhaily stressed that he and the AKPS leadership will not compromise with those involved in activities that are detrimental to national security.
Meanwhile, he said that the setting of AKPS Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) this year will emphasize the value of confiscation and saving government funds from leakage.
"It should be remembered that AKPS is not an agency that collects taxes...the two new measurements need to be further refined. This approach must be implemented comprehensively by prioritizing national security to close all loopholes,” he said.
Previously, the Prime Minister said that the Madani Government had given full rein to the authorities to crack down on corruption and abuse of power, including the illegal importation of e-waste in the country.
Anwar said that the Cabinet strictly prohibits making Malaysia a dumping ground for e-waste.
In a separate development, Mohd Shuhaily said that AKPS will commence operations at the new entry points, namely the Rail Transit System (RTS) in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru and Woodlands in Singapore this year with the RTS Bill to be tabled in this Parliament session.
On Sunday, the media reported that the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link will be equipped with 100 e-gate or electronic fence at the Bukit Chagar Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex to facilitate the cross-border clearance process between the two countries. – February 3, 2026
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