{
  "id": 10166941,
  "title": "Govt chief secretary pitches training academy for border agents as Malaysia faces more complex threats",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/govt-chief-secretary-pitches-training-academy-for-border-agents-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T07:52:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/27/govt-chief-secretary-pitches-training-academy-for-border-agents-as-malaysia-faces-more-complex-threats/236746"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's Chief Secretary to the Government, Dr Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, has advocated for the establishment of a world-class training academy for border agents as the country grapples with increasingly complex security threats. The proposed AKPS Training Academy would focus on equipping officers with expertise in border management technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to ensure they are well-prepared to handle advanced challenges and operate independently in the coming 10 to 20 years. Speaking at the passing-out ceremony for the agency's Basic Training Course Series 1/2026 at the Segamat Police Training Centre, Shamsul Azri emphasized that the training academy was crucial for producing highly skilled border management professionals who uphold integrity and are dedicated to safeguarding national interests. He also highlighted that AKPS, currently in its initial phase as \"Guardians of Checkpoint,\" must evolve into a more proactive and intelligence-led border control entity, transitioning from merely controlling entry points to managing the border through smart, integrated, and intelligence-led operations. Shamsul Azri underscored the need for AKPS to keep pace with technological advancements and evolving criminal methods through continuous training, hands-on experience, and mentoring by seasoned officers. Despite operating with only about 30% of its optimum staffing level of 13,721 personnel, AKPS has made significant strides in its 23-month existence. The agency has seized and prevented RM265 million worth of illegal activities and has returned 436 containers of electronic waste to their countries of origin through cooperative efforts with various Malaysian government agencies. The 408 officers who completed their three-month basic training today are the inaugural batch to join the public service under the new AKPS scheme, which commenced on July 1. These officers, comprising 39 assistant border superintendents and 369 border assistant officers, will be deployed at the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link entry point from Oct 1, ahead of the agency's full operation on Jan 1, 2027.",
  "summary": "SEGAMAT, Sept 27 — The Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) needs its own world-class training aca...",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysia's Chief Secretary advocates for a world-class border agent training academy.",
    "Proposed AKPS Training Academy to equip officers with AI and border management technologies.",
    "AKPS transitioning from checkpoint control to intelligence-led border management."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Govt chief secretary pitches training academy for border agents as Malaysia faces more complex threats",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/govt-chief-secretary-pitches-training-academy-for-border-agents-as-10168492",
        "published": "2026-09-27T07:52:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}