AKPS seizures reach RM322.7mil as border agency grapples with manpower gaps

The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) seized goods worth RM322.74 million as of October, despite facing staffing shortages and challenges in integrating personnel from six enforcement agencies. Deputy Director-General Ismail Mokhtar revealed that 4,190 personnel had joined AKPS through its official service scheme, but staffing remained insufficient for nationwide operations.

AKPS's enforcement efforts extend beyond confiscating goods, focusing on identifying and dismantling smuggling networks. In the past year, seizures have nearly quadrupled compared to the previous year, highlighting the scale of the smuggling challenge. AKPS is leading a task force targeting the illegal e-waste movement into Malaysia, successfully arranging returns of containers to their countries of origin.

The agency aims to return all 1,259 identified containers by year-end. Following its appointment as the lead agency for the National and Border Security Pillar, AKPS will expand its responsibilities and work on establishing a more consistent operating structure, standardised procedures, and a unified chain of command. This expanded mandate comes after a Malaysian pilot was arrested in Indonesia for drug smuggling, leading to the establishment of a Security Improvement and Mitigation Action Plan.

AKPS is coordinating joint enforcement operations with the police, Customs Department, Wildlife and National Parks Department, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.