SUNGAI BULOH: Integrity must remain the backbone of Malaysia’s border control operations as officers carry the heavy responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s entry points, says Home Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman.
Speaking at the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Ihya Ramadan and grand iftar event in Sungai Buloh, Abdul Halim reminded officers that their role at airports, land checkpoints and seaports goes beyond routine inspections.
“Serving at the nation’s entry points may appear simple, but it carries great responsibility. Officers must ensure that only individuals with legitimate purposes and valid travel documents are allowed into the country,” he said.
He stressed that integrity must be upheld at all times, warning that any abuse of power would not be tolerated.
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“As officers stationed at entry points, we carry a heavy responsibility and must demonstrate the highest level of integrity to ensure that AKPS functions are carried out honestly and faithfully.
“If any officer abuses their power or compromises their integrity, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action, be it legal or disciplinary action under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 (Amendment 2002),” he said.
Abdul Halim noted that AKPS was established to streamline operations at the country’s entry points by merging the roles of various agencies that previously operated separately, including the Immigration and Customs departments.
“Previously, more than 20 agencies operated independently at our borders. Today, we have a single, stronger and more coordinated team to carry out border control functions in a more seamless and effective manner,” he said.
