AKPS Reform- Building a Stronger Border Security System Through Confidence, Transparency and Wisdom:MP Rushdan Rusmi

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s establishment of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has been described as one of the country’s most significant security reforms in recent years, aimed at creating a more coordinated, efficient and effective system for managing national entry points amid increasingly complex cross-border threats.

According to Padang Besar Member of Parliament Rushdan Rusmi, the rationale behind the formation of AKPS is both sound and necessary, given the growing challenges posed by human trafficking, drug smuggling, transnational crime, illegal immigration and other security threats that require a swift and integrated response.
However, he stressed that the success of any major reform depends not only on its objectives but also on how it is implemented.

In a statement, Rushdan said concerns raised by frontline officers, employee unions and personnel stationed at the nation’s border checkpoints should be addressed openly and constructively to ensure the reform achieves its intended goals.
“As a Member of Parliament representing a border constituency, I have witnessed firsthand the critical role played by enforcement personnel in safeguarding national security and facilitating international trade,” he said.

He noted that officers serving at border entry points carry significant responsibilities and that any structural changes affecting thousands of personnel must be implemented with clarity, confidence and assurances regarding their future careers and welfare.

Rushdan explained that current concerns are not focused on the existence of AKPS itself, but rather on the transition process. Many officers are seeking greater clarity regarding career progression, promotion opportunities, seniority recognition and long-term welfare protections under the new framework.
He emphasized that confidence among personnel remains one of the most valuable assets in any organization, warning that uncertainty could affect morale and operational effectiveness.

While welcoming the government’s assurances that officers who choose not to join the new scheme will not lose their jobs or existing rights, he said continuous, transparent and well-structured communication is essential to address lingering concerns among affected personnel.

The Padang Besar MP also highlighted the importance of preserving the expertise developed by existing enforcement agencies over decades.
He noted that the Immigration Department of Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) and Royal Malaysia Police each possess specialized skills and institutional knowledge critical to border management.

Rather than replacing these capabilities, Rushdan suggested that AKPS should function as a national coordination platform that integrates the strengths of all agencies within a more organized operational ecosystem.
Such an approach, he said, would help avoid duplication of responsibilities while preserving professional expertise and maintaining checks and balances that are essential to good governance.

He further stressed that integrity must remain a central pillar of the reform. Strong oversight mechanisms, internal audits and cross-agency monitoring should continue to be strengthened to enhance accountability and maintain public trust.

Beyond organizational restructuring, Rushdan called for greater investment in technology-driven border management solutions, including automated gates, data analytics, artificial intelligence-based risk profiling, integrated passenger information systems and smart surveillance technologies.

“Technology investments will provide more sustainable long-term returns than relying solely on manpower expansion,” he said.

He also underscored the need for AKPS implementation in East Malaysia to respect the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the special constitutional position of Sabah and Sarawak within the federation.

According to Rushdan, border security should be viewed as a national interest that transcends politics, and constructive feedback on the reform should be regarded as an effort to strengthen government policy rather than oppose it.

He expressed confidence in the government’s intentions behind the establishment of AKPS but noted that meaningful reforms require room for continuous improvement.
“If implemented with wisdom, transparency and consensus, AKPS has the potential to become a model of modern border management and a source of national pride,” he said.

Rushdan added that achieving this vision will require strong policy clarity, institutional stability and the confidence of frontline personnel working at the country’s borders. These elements, he concluded, are fundamental to building a sustainable and effective national security framework.