MACHANG, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- An Operations Centre for the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) will be established at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Rantau Panjang early next year.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the centre will use the existing facilities and facilities at the ICQS complex.
"MCBA is a component that unites all the agencies at the border such as immigration, customs and other enforcement agencies," he said in a press conference after opening the “Santuni MADANI: Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung” programme in Bukit Tiu, here today.
It was also attended by MCBA director-general Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali.
Saifuddin Nasution said that as a unified component, MCBA could strengthen the country's border control and that the ministry is setting up a workforce for MCBA with the government having approved 104 posts.
"A total of 78 people have filled the posts,” he said, adding that the ministry has tabled to the Public Service Department regarding the MCBA staffing, which involved 13,000 staff when the agency is fully operational.
He said there are 143 entry points, with the MCBA to operate at five entry points next year.
Besides Rantau Panjang, the other four entry points are the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 1 and KLIA 2, Sultan Iskandar Building ICQS Complex, Tanjung Pelepas Port, Johor and Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS Complex in Kedah.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2025, said the government has allocated RM560 million to strengthen the country's borders.
The Minister of Finance also said that several new ICQS Complexes will be built in addition to upgrading the complexes in Rantau Panjang and Bukit Berapit.
New border posts will be built in Bantul and Serudung, Sabah, and law enforcement agencies will also be supplied with drone and AI technology to increase the reach of monitored areas.
-- BERNAMA
