KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Checkpoint and Border Agency (MCBA) will focus on the country's 143 entry points once Dewan Rakyat approves the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency Bill 2024.
MCBA director-general Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said the 143 entry points in the country were via land, sea and air.
"MCBA will take over the 143 entry points including the 115 functional points in stages soon after the Bill is gazetted.
"From there, we will move to the five Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes in the country," he said when contacted.
Hazani said the deployment of MCBA to the ICQS are expected to start in October, this year.
The ICQS, he said, would include Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan.
In July 9, Dewan Rakyat witnessed the first reading of the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency Bill 2024.
The bill, which was tabled by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Naustion Ismail, is expected to have its second reading in the current Dewan Rakyat session.
It was previously reported that the management and control of the nation's borders were now under the authority of MCBA.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the MCBA had commenced operations in May, despite the law governing the agency being tabled in July.
Among others, agencies and departments involved in MCBA include the police, the Customs Department, the Immigration Department, the Health Ministry, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Road Transport Department.
During the Budget tabling in October last year, Anwar said the establishment of MCBA as a single-border agency (SBA) was part of the government's initiative to strengthen the country's defence and security preparedness.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution was previouly reported saying the SBA initiative was planned since 2018 to unify over 20 enforcement agencies at 141 entry points.
He had said the Public Service Department had approved the staffing figures for MCBA, which is led by Hazani and it is in the recruitment phase.