RANTAU PANJANG: The Malaysian Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) has officially assumed operations at the border checkpoint in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.
The Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex (ICQS) is the first facility to come under the MCBA's jurisdiction.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar officiated the launch this morning (Jan 1).
The MCBA will oversee the coordination of various agencies at entry points, including the police, the Customs Department, the Immigration Department, the Health Ministry, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and the Road Transport Department.
Other key entry points that will come under the MCBA's purview include KLIA Terminals 1 and 2, the ICQS complexes in Johor Baru and Bukit Kayu Hitam, and Johor's Tanjung Pelepas Port.
In his speech, Shamsul called for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the Malaysia-Thailand border to be expedited.
He said the presence of 169 illegal jetties along the Thai-Kelantan border was a serious concern.
Shamsul said aside from the CCTVs, Artificial Intelligence-powered technology was also being used at border checkpoints and entry points nationwide.
"All officers stationed at this checkpoint and other ICQS facilities must adopt the use of these technologies," he said.
Also present at the event were MCBA director-general Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban and Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat.