[Updated] Malaysia Establishes the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency

Updated on December 23, 2024

As revealed by Malaysia's P.U. (B) 509/2024 issued on December 18. 2024, Malaysia appoints

• Jan 1 2025 as the operation date of Act 860 for the area of Rantau Panjang, Kelantan; and

• Feb 1 2025 as the operation date of Act 860 for areas other than Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

Previous report published on October 21, 2024

On October 17, 2024, Malaysia enacted the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency Act 2024 (Act 860), which provides for the establishment of the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency. This agency will oversee various functions and powers related to border control and protection.

Functions of the Agency

The Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency will have the following key functions:

1. Enforcement of relevant laws: The Agency will enforce laws concerning:

• Immigration control: Inspecting and controlling individuals entering or leaving Malaysia

• Customs control: Inspecting and controlling goods entering or exiting the prescribed areas (Prescribed areas are listed in the First Schedule of this Act).

• Inspection and quarantine measures: Inspecting, controlling, and quarantining plants, animals, carcasses, fish, agricultural produce, soils, and microorganisms.

• Health related control: Inspection and control of food and things incidental to food, drugs, poisons, cosmetics and other things related to health

• Issuance of permits: issuance of any pass, permit or any other document for the purpose of controlling the movement of people, goods, vehicles, plants, animals, carcasses, fish, agricultural produce, soils, microorganisms, food and other things incidental to food, drugs, poisons, cosmetics, wildlife, part of wildlife or derivative of wildlife or other things

• Others: Inspecting wildlife, parts of wildlife, or derivatives entering or exiting Malaysia; controlling and inspecting vehicles entering or leaving Malaysia; preventing and investigating any offences

2. Surveillance and patrol: Conducting surveillance and patrols in the prescribed areas.

3. Information gathering: Collecting intelligence for effective border control and protection.

4. Management of entry points: Administering and managing any entry point complex.

In cases of overlapping functions between the Agency and other competent authorities, these issues will be resolved administratively.

Implementation

The commencement date for the Act has not yet been disclosed. Once operational, the Agency will manage the country's entry points efficiently and effectively, serving as the sole entity responsible for control and inspection functions. This will support trade facilitation efforts and attract tourists to Malaysia.

Read the full text here.