New chief targets tighter borders

Under watchful eyes: Comm Mohd Shuhaily looking at Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) officers inspecting parcels of fruits during a working visit to KLIA while being accompanied by senior AKPS officers. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

SEPANG: The operational capabilities of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) must be strengthened to effectively curb smuggling along the nation’s borders, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

The newly appointed director-­general said currently, the agency still needs the assistance of other relevant agencies.

“However, we are working towards strengthening our operational and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

“There are a lot of challenges but we are working towards that,” he told reporters after a working visit to Kuala Lumpur Inter­na­tional Airport (KLIA) here yesterday.

Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the agency is looking into several matters, including human resour­ces, infrastructure and standard operating procedures, which req­ui­re close attention.

“We are in charge of 22 entry points, but some do not have commanders.

“However, we have alrea­dy deployed commanders at high-­priority locations,” he said.

Comm Mohd Shuhaily noted that the agency is operating under its first phase of planning since taking control of the nation’s entry points, while phase two is expected to begin in October.

“However, the timeline could be adjusted to ensure the agency is fully prepared,” he said.

Comm Mohd Shuhaily added that one of the main challenges is equipping AKPS officers to handle tasks for multiple agencies.

“They must be able to perform multi-dimensional work. They must not only be open to it; they must be more professional in accepting these changes,” he said.

He added that to achieve his goal, he needs all the various agencies under AKPS to become one unit.

“That is why it is important for me to go down to the ground and see how the agency’s personnel are doing,” he said, adding that plans are also underway to impose stricter measures on the recruitment and termination of agency officers to curb wrong­doing, especially smuggling.

“The proposals will be subjec­ted to the approval of policy­makers. Stern action will be taken against those colluding with smug­glers. I will not compromise on matters of integrity.”

Comm Mohd Shuhaily said when an AKPS officer is entrusted with duties involving various agencies, the scope of authority will expand as well.

“He or she will be vulnerable to untoward opportunities.

“That is why I emphasise the importance of upholding integrity so that unhealthy temptations can be thwarted,” he said.