Anwar tells single border agency to get cracking
Published on: Thursday, May 02, 2024
By: FMT
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says all agencies under MCBA should start deploying their personnel to coordinate efforts to enhance security and curb smuggling.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Malaysia Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) – the recently established single border agency – to carry out its duties immediately, despite the legislation to regulate it to be tabled only in July.
Anwar said all agencies under MCBA should start deploying their personnel to coordinate efforts to enhance security and curb smuggling, Bernama reported.
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He said despite the absence of legislation, the authorities, such as the police and customs, will take orders from the respective departments or agencies.
“So, each is a source of authority,” he was quoted as saying.
In October, Anwar had said the establishment of the agency was part of an initiative to enhance the level of national defence and security readiness.
A total of RM20 million was also allocated to maintain, repair and procure assets at the country’s entry points.
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It was previously reported that the agency was set up to allow for better coordination among the various departments and improve on the issue of integrity.
In January, it was announced that Bukit Aman’s internal security and public order department director, Hazani Ghazali, will lead the agency.
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On a related note, Anwar said all ministries and departments should deploy officers and personnel at the country’s borders to carry out MCBA-related tasks.
Earlier, Anwar witnessed the handover of the terms of reference for MCBA to act as a coordinator between security and enforcement agencies on border control and protection for six ministries and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
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