Cuepacs objects to single border agency for all check points in the country

Focus

By SYDI ALIF

28 Sep 2022 04:15pm

President Datuk Adnan Mat says Cuepacs is of the stand that the existing agencies have been championing their duties and responsibilities well and effectively. - Bernama pic

SHAH ALAM - Cuepacs, the union representing government staffs has objected to the setting up Single Border Agency (SBA) to take over the role and duties of government agencies including at ports and airports.

At present, other than the Customs Department, there are several other agencies involved in guarding the country's border gates including the Immigration Department, Department of Quarantine and Inspection Services Malaysia (Maqis), to name a few.

Cuepacs is of the stand that the existing agencies have been championing their duties and responsibilities well and effectively.

Cuepacs president Dato Adnan Mat citing the customs department said the department not only controls the entrance of the country from the aspect of security but is also responsible for collecting various taxes that contribute to the country's revenue.

“Over the past few years, the achievement the customs department collection has always exceeded the target set by the government. This means that the department has carried out its duties and responsibilities with distinction.

“Why should this task be given to a new agency whose effectiveness is still unknown? It is like the government wants to gamble the country's revenue collection for the coming year if this new agency is established,” he questioned.

The agency's multi-level gateway control system as currently enforced is better than being controlled by just one agency. For example, if the imported goods are medicine, the Customs Department cannot release the trade before it is approved by the Pharmacy, he explained.

The same goes for merchandise that requires the approval of other agencies involved such as Maqis, Sirim and others. If there are deficiencies in the current operation of the country's border gates, the government can improve the operation instead of replacing it with a new agency according to him.

He suggested that better coordination between government agencies at the entrance of the country could be formed and their duties could be refined further, further urging for better consultations and engagements with representatives and unions in any decision involving the empowerment of the public service to provide win-win results between employers and employees to empowering government services..

He added that Cuepacs made the decision during the Peninsular Malaysia Customs Officers Union’s conference in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, today.