THE Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has seized goods worth RM322.74 million up to October, even as it continues to grapple with manpower shortages and the challenge of integrating personnel from six enforcement agencies.
Deputy director-general (management) Ismail Mokhtar said 4,190 personnel had been absorbed into AKPS under its official service scheme, but staffing remained insufficient for its operations across the country’s entry points.
“The agency is still assessing its actual manpower needs and relies on support from other enforcement bodies while the process is under way,” Ismail said.
Speaking at AKPS’ second anniversary celebration on Monday, Ismail explained the agency’s enforcement work was aimed at more than confiscating goods, with efforts also focused on identifying those behind smuggling operations and shutting down the routes they use.
The RM322.74 million in seizures recorded this year represented a nearly fourfold increase from the previous year, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing border authorities.
Ismail said the agency needed to address the networks and weaknesses that allow smuggling to persist, rather than treating each seizure as an isolated case.
One area receiving particular attention is the illegal movement of electronic waste (e-waste) into Malaysia.
A task force led by AKPS has arranged for containers carrying e-waste to be returned to their countries of origin.
Ismail said the operation marked the first time the government had successfully arranged such returns through a task force led by the agency.
AKPS aims to send back all 1,259 identified containers by the end of the year.
“The agency is also working to establish a more consistent operating structure across its workforce, with common competencies, standardised procedures and a unified chain of command identified as priorities,” he added.
Its responsibilities are set to expand further following its appointment as lead agency for the National and Border Security Pillar.
The announcement was made by Home Ministry secretary-general Awang Alik Jeman, who read a speech on behalf of Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail at the anniversary event.
The appointment follows the establishment of a Security Improvement and Mitigation Action Plan after a Malaysian pilot was arrested in Indonesia over alleged drug smuggling.
AKPS has since begun coordinating joint enforcement operations under Ops Sundang with the police, Customs Department, Wildlife and National Parks Department, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.
The expanded mandate places greater responsibility on an agency that is still consolidating its workforce and procedures, as it seeks to strengthen coordination among the bodies responsible for securing Malaysia’s borders. - October 26, 2026