Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) has submitted a proposal to the National Security Council (NSC) to reinstate a multi-agency operational framework modelled on the National Task Force (NTF) to bolster national border security. Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman emphasized that the proposal aims to bring together various agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), and the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the strategic coordination of enforcement agencies has been proven more effective in addressing security vulnerabilities along the country's land and maritime borders. Gen Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman highlighted the success of a similar integrated operation carried out by the NTF during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting its effectiveness in coordinating multi-agency efforts. Despite the mechanism being changed for specific reasons, he advocated for the reinstatement of elements of that approach to tackle current security challenges.

Malek Razak explained that the MAF conducts round-the-clock surveillance along the national border and regularly detains intruders, though not all cases are reported to the media. He added that Malaysia maintains close cooperation with neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to address cross-border security issues through intelligence sharing.

Addressing integrity issues, Malek Razak stated that the primary measure against corruption at the border involves instilling integrity and high moral values among personnel. The NTF, initially established to execute Op Benteng and curb the influx of illegal immigrants during the pandemic in 2020, was officially disbanded on December 31, 2022.