SEPANG: More than RM300mil worth of seizures have been recorded by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) so far this year, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said the total value of seizures as of this month stood at RM322.74mil.
“The value of seizures that helped prevent losses to national revenue from leakages reached RM322.74mil as of October, representing an increase of nearly fourfold from the previous year.
“AKPS officers and personnel have done well in protecting the country’s borders,” he said in a speech read by ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman at the agency’s second anniversary celebration yesterday.
He said that, following the arrest of a Malaysian pilot in Indonesia for drug smuggling, AKPS had been entrusted with leading the National and Border Security Pillar under the newly established Security Improvement and Mitigation Action Plan.
“In this regard, AKPS has begun coordinating integrated operational activities under Ops Sundang to ensure that the stipulated target timelines are met through collaboration between AKPS and various agencies such as the police and the Customs Department,” he added.
Meanwhile, AKPS deputy director-general (management) Ismail Mokhtar said the illegal goods seized this year represented more than just statistics.
“Behind them lie attempts to exploit weaknesses in controls, evade legal obligations and reap illicit profits, with the risks ultimately borne by the nation and its people.
“Our aim is not merely to seize goods. We want to close smuggling routes, identify the perpetrators and dismantle the systems that allow smuggling to recur,” he said.
He added that e-waste issues are becoming more complex and that it will continue its efforts to export out containers that have been identified at ports here.
“For the first time this year, the government, through a task force led by AKPS, successfully arranged for containers carrying e-waste to be shipped out of the country.
“We will ensure that all 1,259 containers are exported by the end of this year.”
On its manpower, Ismail said a total of 4,190 staff members had been absorbed into the agency via the AKPS Service Scheme.
“This figure is important in building a professional identity and uniting personnel from different service backgrounds under a single institution.
“However, this integration process must be followed by the development of common competencies, the standardisation of work procedures, stronger discipline and the consolidation of a single chain of command.”
