AKPS tightens border control at Bukit Kayu Hitam following global oil price hikes, focusing on commercial vehicles to prevent subsidised goods smuggling.

BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has intensified surveillance and inspections at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex in response to the West Asia crisis affecting global oil prices.

Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS commander SAC Mohd Nasaruddin M Nasir said the move aims to prevent any parties from exploiting the situation for smuggling activities, particularly involving subsidised goods.

He revealed that more than 300 AKPS personnel have been deployed at the complex to conduct border control and inspect vehicles entering and leaving the country.

“Of the total, more than 100 personnel are assigned in each shift, to ensure that operations can be carried out continuously,” he told Bernama.

He added that operations run through two main shifts, with the first from 6 am to 3 pm and the second from 2 pm to midnight.

The agency’s current inspection focus is concentrated on commercial vehicles to detect attempts to smuggle subsidised goods like diesel, petrol, cooking oil and other controlled items out of the country.

“Inspections involve document checks, physical inspections of vehicles, and monitoring the type and quantity of cargo, to ensure compliance with the stipulated regulations,” he said.

Mohd Nasaruddin stated that AKPS is collaborating closely with various enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, for integrated border control.

He stressed that AKPS remains committed to ensuring national border security and sovereignty while curbing any smuggling activities that could affect the country’s economy and the supply of subsidised goods.

 The Sun Malaysia