Kuala Lumpur: The Home Ministry (KDN) is in the process of identifying the candidate to fill the post of Director-General of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), which is now vacant following Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali’s retirement on February 9.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, stated that discussions regarding the appointment were held with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after a recent Cabinet meeting. Saifuddin Nasution assured that an announcement on the appointment would be made soon. He relayed this information to the media during the ‘Nilai-Nilai Murni Ihya’ Ramadan’ Programme hosted by AKPS at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.

Also present at the event were Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, and AKPS Deputy Director-General (Policy) Datuk Sazali Mohamad. Saifuddin Nasution mentioned that the selection process is being conducted with care, and several criteria for the candidate have been submitted to the Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN), Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, for consideration.

AKPS was officially established following the enactment of the Border Control and Protection Agency Act (Act 860) on October 17, 2024. It functions as the sole border control agency, consolidating expertise and resources from various government agencies, including Immigration and Customs, to streamline operations at the country’s international entry points nationwide.

The agency currently comprises 6,000 personnel, including 1,090 officers absorbed from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM). Additionally, officers and personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Ministry of Health (MoH), Road Transport Department (JPJ), and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service Department (MAQIS) have been integrated into AKPS.