Bukit kayu hitam: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) denied entry to nine foreign nationals at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS deputy operations commander Noor Azam Ahmad stated that the individuals, comprising nationals of China, the United States, and Thailand, were refused entry after failing to meet the stipulated entry requirements and were unable to provide valid reasons or purposes for entering Malaysia.

The group included seven Chinese nationals-two women and five men-as well as an American man and a Thai woman, aged between 20 and 40. The American man was denied entry due to not possessing a confirmed return ticket and failing to meet the entry requirements.

Noor Azam also revealed that the Thai woman was on the department's suspect list, which resulted in her being blacklisted from entering Malaysia. He noted that no seizures were made in connection with the case, and all nine individuals were issued Notices of Refusal of Entry (NPM) and ordered to return to their respective countries of origin via the same entry route.

He further emphasized that AKPS is committed to maintaining strict control at the country's entry points to prevent any abuse for illegal purposes.