SHAH ALAM, Dec 1 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) will perform special inspections on Malaysia-registered vehicles being towed from Hatyai, Thailand, due to flood damage, before they can pass the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex.
Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS commander Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said only vehicles that pass the inspection and obtain verification documents signed by an AKPS officer or supervisor will be allowed to exit the ICQS complex.
“AKPS is aware of the heightened risk of smuggling at main border checkpoints during the flood season. This has led to us performing thorough inspections to curb any smuggling effort,” he said, as reported by Berita Harian.
The Malaysia-Thailand Border Coordination Office (MTBCO) is arranging for 15 tow trucks to bring back nearly 1,000 Malaysian vehicles stranded in Hatyai due to severe floods there.
“The Malaysian Consulate-General in Songkhla and Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS have agreed to set up a designated assembly point for the towing operation, namely, the new Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex,” Nasaruddin said.
He explained that the assembly point is meant to allow AKPS teams to carry out on-site inspections, ensuring no one takes advantage of the situation to smuggle illegal or undeclared goods.
“A coordination meeting involving all relevant agencies will be held soon to ensure a smooth vehicle transfer operation and to safeguard the public and national assets,” he added.
Besides AKPS, other agencies involved include the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Nasaruddin said.
