By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 7: Sarawak’s vast and remote border terrain is stretching manpower and logistics as the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) steps up to strengthen security at all 36 entry points.
AKPS Director-General Dato Sri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said remote rural entry points faced unique challenges, from limited road access and basic facilities to logistical constraints and the risk of smuggling controlled goods and vehicles.
He said the establishment and operation of AKPS in Sarawak had been ongoing for nearly two years, but the agency continued to face several administrative challenges, particularly manpower shortages.
“Our main challenge is the shortage of personnel to be stationed at all entry points. Many locations require officers, but at the same time, we need to manage our existing manpower to ensure operations continue,” he said in a statement during a courtesy visit to Federal Secretary of Sarawak Dato Ahmad Nadzri Mohd Hassan at his office here today.
Mohd Shuhaily said AKPS would continue working with the Sarawak government and relevant agencies to identify the needs of each location, including support for infrastructure development, utility facilities and additional staffing.
“AKPS will continue to work with the Sarawak government and relevant agencies to identify the needs of each location, including obtaining support in infrastructure development, utility facilities and additional staffing to ensure AKPS functions can be carried out more effectively,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the agency would intensify engagement programmes with communities in Sarawak to improve understanding of AKPS’s role and functions.
Mohd Shuhaily said such engagement was important in supporting efforts to control the country’s entry points and ensure border security remained protected.
Also present were AKPS Deputy Director-General (Operations) Datuk Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir; Kuching International Airport Entry Point Commander Pius Inggong; Senari Port Entry Point Commander Abang Mat Noor Abang Abdul Samat; and AKPS Deputy Director of the Strategic and International Planning Division Norhisham Kamarudin. — DayakDaily
