Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail presenting letter of appointment to Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali in Putrajaya. Also present is the ministry’s sec-gen Datuk Ruji Ubi (left). NSTP/MOHD FADLI HAMZAH
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail presenting letter of appointment to Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali in Putrajaya. Also present is the ministry’s sec-gen Datuk Ruji Ubi (left). NSTP/MOHD FADLI HAMZAH

PUTRAJAYA: Federal police Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali has been appointed the Malaysia Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) director-general.

Following the appointment, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Hazani will lead Malaysia's single border agency.

The appointment, he said, will take effect in March.

"Among others, the single border agency is being established to improve the service delivery at the entry points, reduce revenue loss and bolster the integrity of enforcement officers during inspections.

"(And) with his 37 years of experience in national security, public order and law enforcement, I am confident that he can drive this agency (forward)," he said in a special press conference, today.

Hazani was previously the commander of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) in 2017. He was then appointed as the Sabah police commissioner from 2022 to 2022.

At the same time, Saifuddin said that the cabinet had agreed to the establishment of the new entity on Jan 3.

Following this, he added that a bill to establish the agency will be presented in the Dewan Rakyat in the upcoming session.

"From there (once approved), we will continue with other coordination programmes (relating to the country's checkpoints) in collaboration with other related agencies."