MACHANG: About 13,000 officers and personnel from the Malaysian Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA)
will gradually be stationed in 143 entry points nationwide beginning in January.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the first phase involves the deployment of at least 104 officers and personnel at five entry and exit points.
He said 104 out of the overall 13,000 positions have already been approved by the Public Service Department (PSD).
"We have solved the manpower or human resources issue recently after the PSD approved 104 positions for the MCBA.
"In the beginning, 78 of these 104 posts have been filled. We tabled a proposal to the PSD.
"Ideally, we need 13,000 positions for our overall roll out but while waiting for that, we decided to kick off with Phase One," he said.
Saifuddin was speaking to reporters after launching the "One Village, One Leader" MADANI programme with MCBA in Kampung Bukit Tiu here today.
He said the first phase of the MCBA deployment will begin on Jan 1 next year with the takeover of the Rantau Panjang entry point.
"A month later (Feb 1), MCBA will take over another four entry points, including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) terminals 1 and 2, the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complexes at the Sultan Iskandar Building, Johor Baru Sentral, Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Bukit Kayu Hitam.".
Asked on the reason in selecting Rantau Panjang as the first entry point for the deployment, Saifuddin said the Rantau Panjang's checkpoint is among the strategic entry points in the country.
"The Rantau Panjang checkpoint, which borders Sungai Golok town has certain characteristics that separate it from the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and KLIA," he added.
On Oct 16, Saifuddin had said the MCBA would take over five entry points beginning Feb 1 next year.
He had said MCBA would commence its operations in phases, with Phase One starting on Jan 1 with the takeover of the Rantau Panjang entry point.
He then said the Malaysia Border and Protection Agency Bill has been presented and passed in the Dewan Rakyat and subsequently passed in the Dewan Negara on Aug 1 last year.