RANTAU PANJANG: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) will take over operations at 21 entry points nationwide starting Feb 1.
MCBA director-general Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali confirmed the development today (Jan 1).
It was previously reported that the MCBA would assume control of five checkpoints from February, including KLIA Terminals 1 and 2, Tanjung Pelepas Port, and the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complexes in Rantau Panjang, Johor Baru, and Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Speaking to reporters after the commencement of MCBA operations at the Rantau Panjang ICQS, Hazani said the agency would also take over 16 additional entry points next month.
These include airports in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Penang, KLIA Cargo, Sandakan, Tawau, and Sibu.
Ports and wharves that will fall under MCBA's purview will include those in Klang, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuantan, Kemaman, Tawau, Bintulu, Senari, and Pasir Gudang.
The MCBA will also oversee operations at the Sultan Abu Bakar ICQS in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
Hazani said the agency would coordinate the functions 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.
More than 6,000 personnel from these agencies will be deployed to the 21 entry points, he said.
"In Kelantan alone, a total of 123 personnel have been deployed," Hazani added.