PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) will push for more high tech assets, including mobile imaging tools, to better combat the import of contraband.
Its director-general Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, when met at a press conference in Port Klang Monday (Feb 9), added that while they would push for more assets, the men and women behind the technology were equally as important.
"X-ray machines are only as effective as the people reading them. Smugglers will do everything possible to distort images. That is where expertise and integrity are crucial," Shuhaily said.
The push for new technology stemmed from current trends of illegal imports being hidden inside containers behind legitimate items, requiring a full inspection to verify its true contents.
He added syndicates involved in environmental crimes were highly adaptive, and that there was the possibility of them using other ports of entry.
"These syndicates are organised for a reason. They operate illegally for profit, and they will look for other options when pressure increases.
"It is not impossible for them to shift to other ports. That is something we are already factoring into our risk assessments.
"At this stage, our intelligence strength is still limited. We rely heavily on information and assistance from other enforcement agencies, and so far that cooperation has been forthcoming," he said.
When asked on the cause of the influx of e-waste coming into the country he noted that it was possibly related to China’s decision to ban the imports.
"When China stopped accepting these wastes, they had to go somewhere. The closest, cheapest or most convenient locations became targets," he said.
