PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency is looking to tap into the experience and discipline of military veterans as part of its strategy to build a credible, efficient and respected border force, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain (pic).
The agency's director-general said the government has allocated funds for the agency, under Budget 2026, to recruit Armed Forces veterans on contract.
"The response so far has been extraordinary. The moment the announcement was made, I personally received messages. My officers received messages.
"The office received walk-ins. Some even came directly to my office to hand in their résumés.
"These are high-ranking individuals: retired colonels, lieutenant-colonels, majors and others," he told reporters after a town hall session with AKPS officers held in conjunction with the agency's one-year anniversary on Friday (Oct 17).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said veterans bring two critical advantages: proven discipline and extensive experience in national security and defence.
"I believe these qualities will not only help strengthen operational capability, but also reduce training costs and overall operating expenditure," he added.
The recruitment will follow a contractual model similar to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), which has successfully deployed veterans for nearly four years, he said.
"It is not a permanent civil service appointment," he clarified.
During his Budget 2026 speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that priority would be given to appointing officers from among military veterans to meet the manpower needs of 220 positions required by AKPS, to ensure full operational readiness.
