Single agency needed to patrol borders - Akbar Satar

The government must set up a single agency tasked to patrol borders, says Transparency International (TI) Malaysia president Datuk Akhbar Satar.

He added that the special unit must also be trained and possess knowledge on investigation and country’s laws.

“It is time that we form a special border patrol unit like in the United Kingdom and the United States,” he said in an interview with Analisis AWANI, Wednesday.

He said in view of the current situation in the country which saw an increase in the number of human trafficking and smuggling activities, it was clear that the current system used and the agencies involved have failed, leaving their integrity to be questioned.

Akhbar also suggested for the the government make use of the latest technologies such as closed circuit cameras at the country’s borders and other gadgets.

He also stressed that each agencies involved with patrolling the borders must be coordinated to avoid conflict of duty.

He said with a single agency to coordinate the other agencies involved, it can help avoid duplication of roles. It will also avoid the integrity of the enforcement teams at the borders to be questioned.

Akhbar also suggested integrity tests to be conducted on enforcement officers in stages especially for those stationed at the borders.

He added that a maximum term for the officers at the borders should be set to avoid graft activities.