PENGKALAN HULU: The proposed construction of a new Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Bukit Berapit here is currently at the feasibility study stage, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said RM2mil has been allocated for the implementation of the study and the new complex is expected to provide greater comfort for tourists and users, while also enhancing security control.
"The ICQS (Bukit Berapit) in Pengkalan Hulu is unique because the distance between the checkpoint on the Thai side and ours (Malaysia) is quite far. Although it is less than 1km, I observed earlier that people who undergo inspection on our side have to take their luggage all the way there (to the checkpoint) and there are other security issues.
"In discussions with the Perak government, several locations were proposed for consideration and there is a need for us to build a new facility. The sooner the feasibility study is carried out, the sooner it can be implemented," he said at a press conference after conducting a visit and inspection of Malaysia-Thailand border control operations at the Bukit Berapit ICQS here on Sunday (April 12).
Also present was Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
In 2025, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that the Home Ministry was resolving land-related issues for the construction of the new Bukit Berapit ICQS.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said the government plans to place the Bukit Berapit ICQS under the supervision of AKPS to streamline its security control system.
"AKPS will eventually take over up to 122 entry points nationwide, including sea, land and air. Pengkalan Hulu will, in time, come under AKPS.
"Once there are sufficient human resources, adequate infrastructure and the requirements in place, the AKPS director-general will then finalise when the agency will fully take over," he said.
He added that, for now, AKPS is prioritising critical national border entry points, including those in Kedah and Kelantan.
At present, AKPS has taken over control of 22 of the country's 122 border entry points. – Bernama
