The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) will take over all operations at 114 national entry points in January 2026, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the agency’s operations, which will begin on Feb 1 next year will involve 22 entry points, with the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, as the pilot operation location.
“The agency is expected to take over operations at all active entry points in the country. We are still in the process of increasing staffing,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu).
Takiyuddin wanted to know the number of AKPS personnel, asset strength and location of the agency’s assignments as well as statistics on human trafficking involving Malaysian victims.
The Deputy Minister said that for human trafficking, 479 cases with 911 arrests were recorded from 2021 to August this year.
In response to Takiyuddin’s original question regarding the government’s steps to address Malaysia-Thailand border security to combat human trafficking, smuggling of drugs, firearms and subsidised goods, Shamsul Anuar said an operation codenamed Taring Wawasan is ongoing to protect border areas of Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan.
“From 2023 to Sept 30 this year, Ops Taring Wawasan recorded 3,031 cases and made 4,216 arrests, with seizures worth RM346.85mil involving offences related to smuggling of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, petrol, diesel, and illegal immigrants,” he said.