PM Wants AKPS, Related Agencies To Step Up Operation Against Illegal E-waste Activities - AKPS DG

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and related agencies to intensify operations against the illegal importation of electronic waste (e-waste) into the country.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the Prime Minister wanted AKPS to cooperate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) as well as other agencies to combat the activity.

"The Prime Minister (also) strongly instructed that if any enforcement officer is found providing protection and accepting bribes in this smuggling activity, strict action must be taken regardless of who he is," he said.

Speaking at the AKPS Director-General's Address here today, he said the issue of integrity of all national enforcement agencies had once again been questioned by the Prime Minister to the extent that he openly said he had lost patience.

"I have raised the issue of integrity in AKPS since the beginning of my entry into the agency. Since then, our cooperation with MACC and the Immigration Department has intensified and as a result, 39 people have been arrested by MACC, some have been charged and some have been subject to disciplinary action.

"What is certain is that the list of those involved in counter setting or flying passports has not yet been eradicated. Intelligence information and complaints are still being received, but evidence is not forthcoming," he said.

Mohd Shuhaily stressed that he and the AKPS leadership will not compromise with those involved in activities that are detrimental to the security of this country.

In 2026, he said the setting of AKPS Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should also emphasise the value of confiscation and saving government funds from leakages that occur.

"It should be remembered that AKPS is not an agency that collects taxes... the two new yardsticks need to be further refined. This approach must be implemented comprehensively by prioritising national security to close all loopholes.

“In line with the strong warning issued by the Prime Minister recently, all loopholes and weaknesses that taint the integrity of enforcement must be addressed without delay,” he said.

Previously, the Prime Minister said the MADANI Government had given full rein to the authorities to combat corruption and abuse of power, including the illegal importation of electronic waste (e-waste) in this country.

Anwar said the Cabinet today strictly prohibited the act of making Malaysia a dumping ground for e-waste.

Meanwhile, Mohd Shuhaily said AKPS would begin operations at new entry points, namely the Rail Transit System (RTS) in Bukit Chagar, Johor Baharu and Woodlands in Singapore this year.

“The RTS Bill will be tabled in this Parliament session.

“Congratulations to the RTS team for successfully completing all the discussion processes involving policies, laws and management on time as required by both sides of the government,” he said.

On Sunday, the media reported that the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link will be equipped with 100 e-gates or electronic fences at the Bukit Chagar Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) Complex to facilitate the cross-border clearance process between the two countries.

-- BERNAMA