KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) will fully operate once existing Acts relating to the matter are presented and approved in June, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
Shamsul Anuar said the coordination and engagement sessions for the drafting of MCBA bill as well as amendments to existing acts is currently underway by the government.
"The MCBA team is currently working on the drafting of MCBA bill as well as the proposal amendment to related (existing) acts which will involve at least 31 Acts.
"The agency will also begin to operate fully in the field after the amendments to relevant acts is approved in the upcoming parliamentary session in June.
"Engagement sessions with relevant agencies and other stakeholders are also being actively implemented to ensure good coordination at entry points," he said during minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat, today.
Shamsul Anuar said this in response to Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) who enquired about the status of the pilot project for the implementation Single Border Agency (SBA) to oversee the country's 141 entry points.
Shamshulkahar also enquired on the date for the agency to commence its operations.
At the same time, Shamsul Anuar said the coordination with agencies and stakeholders will also encompass operational planning in phases, development of integrated standard operating procedures (SOP) in the field and policy coordination mechanism across ministries and departments.
"With the cooperation and support of all ministries and departments, I am confident that MCBA will become the SBA at entry points that can contribute to enhancing security control, increasing government's service efficiency, reducing bureaucracy and leakages as well as prospering the country's economy," he said.
The MCBA establishment was approved by the cabinet on Oct 18, last year, and the appointment of staff was approved by the Public Service Department (PSD) on Dec 29, last year.
The agency acts as a frontline agency at the country's entry points, including ports, responsible for providing border control services and conducting integrated and comprehensive inspections.
