Rantau Panjang AKPS Records Nearly 1.64 Million Inbound And Outbound Movements At ICQS

KOTA BHARU, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The Rantau Panjang Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) recorded nearly 1.64 million entries and exits of individuals at the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) from January until yesterday.

Its deputy commander, Bakri Sulaiman, said that for the first 11 months of this year, a total of 784,617 individuals were recorded entering the country, while 855,564 individuals exited through the border gate.

He said the figures show that the Rantau Panjang ICQS remains one of the country's main land entry points, especially for cross-border movement between Malaysia and Thailand.

"In terms of enforcement, the Rantau Panjang AKPS also recorded 14 arrests under immigration-related legal provisions this year from January to Dec 21," he told reporters here today.

Bakri said six individuals were arrested in May under Section 56(1)(l) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while another eight individuals were arrested last month under Section 2(2) of the Passport Act 1960.

Additionally, he stated that 165 individuals were issued Notices of Refusal of Entry during the same period, involving 141 Thai citizens, Indians (9), Cambodians (5), and the remainder from various other nationalities.

In terms of enforcing prohibited goods, Bakri said the Rantau Panjang AKPS recorded seizures and confiscations worth approximately RM610,883 for the period from January to yesterday.

"The seizure involved various legal provisions including the Customs Act 1967, the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Food Act 1983," he also said.

He added that AKPS will continue to tighten control and inspections at border gates to ensure national security, combat cross-border crime, and ensure compliance with the law by all travellers and users of international routes.

-- BERNAMA