Parliament passes Malaysia Border Control Agency Bill

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliament today unanimously passed the Malaysia Border Control Agency (Aksem) Bill, which aims to safeguard Malaysia's land border against smuggling or other unlawful activities.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the law also aimed at enhancing the role of the Anti-Smuggling Unit through cooperation with various agencies by involving more personnel.
"It will not involve creation of new post or additional cost. We will enhance border patrol with the redeployment of personnel from UPP and the General Operations Force (GOF) Aksem.
"Meaning, all 933 personnel previously under UPP will be merged with GOF, hence Aksem will have 10,800 personnel with no new cost incurred," he said when winding up the debate on the bill in the Parliament today.
Under the new law, border protection would involve the cooperation of five agencies, namely the police, the Immigration Department, the Royal Customs Department, national Anti-Drug Agency and the national Kenaf and Tobacco Board.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said there would be no over-lapping of duties by the agencies involved. — Bernama