KEDAH – A delegation from the Public Service Department (JPA), led by Dr Mohd Bakhari bin Ismail, Deputy Director-General of Public Services (Development), paid a working visit to the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The event was held at the ICQS Complex, Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Accompanied by advanced officials of JPA’s Staffing and Organisation Division, Service Division and Salary & Allowance Division on the visit. They want to see how AKPS operation has been enforced and how the agency executes its task of defending Malaysia’s borders.
AKPS is instrumental for the facilitation of several enforcement agencies at border points. The agency also has a close working relationship with Malaysian authorities such as the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Immigration Department of Malaysia, Ministry of Health, Road Transport Department (JPJ), Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service department (MAQIS).
The cooperation guarantees smooth implementation of border management, ranging from customs clearance, immigration control, health quarantine inspection and road transport administration to wildlife protection and quarantine. It aims to enhance national security while enabling legitimate trade and traffic.
Bukit Kayu Hitam, on the northern boundary between Malaysia and Thailand, is one of the busiest land crossings in the country. The ICQS Complex is a strategic location for the observation of cross-border movement, and a key site to operational review.
While there, the JPA delegation gained insight into how AKPS works with partnered agencies to improve processes and increase efficiency. Officials also debated problems in enforcing the border, such as the lack of better communication among agencies and technological enmeshment.
Dr. Mohd Bakhari said it is vital to ensure the efficacy of border operations and continuous efforts must be made in this regard, especially in conducting joint operation among enforcement agencies that play an important role in safeguarding internal security while gaining public confidence.
He emphasized that JPA continues to support AKPS in building its organizational capacity and matching staffing and resources plans to operations requirements.
It is part of the government’s broader commitment to enhance and improve border control systems in Malaysia that was established to enhance Malaysia’s status as a secure and well-regulated gateway for international travel and trade.
