JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 8 — The pilot project for the single border agency (SBA) to regulate the country’s 141 entry points is expected to start next year, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Ministry (KDN) has been appointed as the lead agency for the preliminary work initiative.
This was decided upon during a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, and KDN secretary-general, Datuk Ruji Ubi, in Putrajaya today to discuss matters related to the SBA implementation.
“Now we have two months to prepare everything in structure, organisation, staffing, and measures to speed up the pilot project.
“We have 141 gazetted entry points nationwide, and several entry points will first be chosen for the pilot project,” he told the press after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the en bloc purchase of the Aliff Sejahtera Apartment today.
Saifuddin added that KDN would also emulate the model of establishing teams like the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Establishing a single agency should meet the three main objectives set, which are to coordinate the functions of various regulatory agencies responsible at the border, improve the existing delivery system, and uphold integrity.
“The Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) of the Sultan Ismail Building (BSI) has approximately 20 agencies such as the Immigration Department, the Department of Agriculture, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Department of Road Transport, and so on.
“Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) CIQ has approximately 14 agencies, so if we have a single border agency like our neighbouring country (Singapore), which has only one ICA, I think that is the right direction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the apartment would be quarters for Johor Immigration Department staff.
— Bernama
