Management of nation's borders now under purview of MCBA, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: The management and control of the nation's borders are now under the administration of the Malaysian Check Points and Borders Agency (MCBA), says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that the MCBA commenced operations as of May 1 in a move to smoothen the entry of tourists into the country while also plugging leakages due to smuggling.

"Tourist arrivals into the country have increased drastically recently with over an 80% increase.

"This has caused pressure on the related border authorities.

"However, tourists will not want to listen to whatever excuses that are given for delays if they have to wait," he said at the Home Ministry Hari Raya Open House here on Thursday (May 2).

He said that the relevant agencies under the Home Ministry such as the Customs Department and Immigration Department would be coordinating with the MCBA.

Anwar said although a law on the operation of MCBA would be tabled in the coming Dewan Rakyat meeting this July, the agency would commence operations based on existing laws governing the relevant border authorities.

Earlier, Anwar, who was accompanied by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, witnessed the handing over of documents of reference to nine government bodies that would manage the nation's borders under the MCBA.

Among the bodies are the Defence Ministry, the Transport Ministry, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Treasury Department.

Also involved are the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak, the Health Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.