AI scanners to boost border security at Rantau Panjang, says Deputy Home Minister
He said that the National Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) had begun operations at the Rantau Panjang Integrated Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) on Jan 1, 2020.
He added that this transition has seen the agency take over inspection duties from various departments, including customs, quarantine, and immigration.
"ICQS Rantau Panjang has been equipped with two AI technology scanner units, enhancing our ability to conduct inspections more efficiently and effectively, especially in detecting prohibited items such as drugs," said Samsul Anuar during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 7).
He said this in response to Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) who had asked the ministry to outline its plans to enhance the use of X-Ray and drug detection systems at the Rantau Panjang border checkpoint to combat smuggling syndicates.
Despite this technological advancement, Shamsul Anuar noted that the facility currently lacks cargo scanners due to infrastructure limitations.
Consequently, import and export inspections are conducted manually by AKPS officers.
'However, plans are in place to address this shortfall as part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the ICQS Rantau Panjang Complex.
'The government has approved RM65.4mil for land acquisition to facilitate this upgrade,' he said.
In addition to technological improvements, security at the Rantau Panjang entry point has been bolstered with an increase in personnel from 130 to 350 officers, said Shamsul Anuar.
He added that this is part of a broader strategy to enhance border security and reduce smuggling activities.
Addressing concerns about corruption and integrity among enforcement officers, Shamsul Anuar highlighted ongoing efforts to digitise border operations.
"We are expanding the use of auto-gates to minimise human interaction at entry points and implementing body-worn cameras for officers at major entry points," he said, adding that these measures aim to increase accountability and reduce corruption risks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Balancing AI benefits, academic integrity
ChatGPT is known to offer substantial benefits as a learning tool, such as generating essays, enhancing writing creativity, analysing data, accelerating research processes, and providing instant answers to complex questions. — AFP photo IN the rapidly advancing era of artificial intelligence (AI), tools like ChatGPT are reshaping the landscape of higher education, bringing profound changes to institutions of higher learning (IPTs) nationwide. ChatGPT offers substantial benefits as a learning tool, such as generating essays, enhancing writing creativity, analysing data, accelerating research processes, and providing instant answers to complex questions. However, this convenience also raises concerns, particularly over misuse by students who rely on the software to complete assignments automatically, without true comprehension or critical engagement. Academic dishonesty is becoming more complex, as conventional plagiarism tools struggle to detect AI-generated content. Even more concerning is the growing reliance on AI, which blurs the line between genuine student effort and machine-assisted work – raising important ethical and pedagogical questions. Changing landscape of academic dishonesty According to Associate Professor Dr Mohd Khairie Ahmad, Dean of the School of Multimedia Technology and Communication at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), the philosophy of technology is to simplify and enhance capabilities; and when it comes to the issue of AI in learning, it depends on context. 'Generative AI is a technological advancement capable of producing content that previously required human thought and effort. AI can certainly generate student assignments or coursework. 'If students rely entirely on AI, it could potentially hinder their learning process. This irresponsible or unethical use of AI to complete assignments, while claiming them as original work, is referred to as 'AIgiarism' or AI plagiarism,' he tells Bernama . Dr Mohd Khairie Ahmad Sharing that digital plagiarism or academic dishonesty is not a new phenomenon, Mohd Khairie says AI's development has made academic misconduct more dynamic. He has observed that since generative AI gained popularity around 2022, the higher education world has become aware of and anticipated the challenges it brings. 'It is undeniable that the use of AI in learning, especially for assignment completion, has become common over the past year or two. 'There are students who rely entirely on AI to complete assignments or even answer tests or quizzes, especially when conducted online. 'Many students believe such actions are not wrong since AI is legal and not a prohibited technology. 'However, this is considered unethical because the work does not stem from the student's own cognitive effort or thinking. 'In fact, such conduct is regarded as a form of plagiarism. 'Typically, lecturers evaluate student assignments by measuring the similarity index, and now also through AI detection. 'Among the AI applications that can detect AI plagiarism are Turnitin, GPTZero, Winston AI, Copyleaks AI Detector, and says Mohd Khairie, adding that evaluating the style, language structure, and content of assignments also helps detect breaches of academic integrity. While not denying that educators, particularly the lecturers, also use AI for teaching and research purposes, he says there can be no compromise when it comes to violating the principles of academic integrity. According to him, the world of higher education upholds the practice of respecting and valuing past scholarly works. 'A scholarly work requires reading and digesting prior writings as part of the process of generating new thoughts or ideas. 'This is a defining feature of academic writing and a core principle of scholarly work – to acknowledge references used, at the very least by listing them in citations. 'In the context of AI being a productive tool that supports scholarly work, it is therefore ethical to clearly disclose its use and to list the AI sources used to obtain information, ideas, and so on,' he points out. Establishing guidelines Responding to whether IPTs have clear guidelines on AI usage by students and lecturers, Mohd Khairie says to his knowledge, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) is among the earliest to issue brief guidance through an Advisory Note in 2023 on the use of generative AI across all Malaysian institutions. 'In 2024, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) published more specific guidelines for educators and students on the application of generative AI. 'These guidelines focus on lawful, responsible, transparent, trustworthy, and ethical use of AI, grounded in values, regulations, and legislation. 'Since AI has become a foundational and routine part of the teaching and learning process, all IPTs should have clearer and more specific guidelines for generative AI. 'Furthermore, these guidelines should eventually align with the AI Act currently being drafted by the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO), under the Ministry of Digital.' Describing the best approach as educating students to use AI ethically and responsibly – as a learning aid rather than a shortcut to complete assignments – Mohd Khairie stresses about the importance of awareness education, especially since AI is poised to become an essential tool for enhancing learning efficiency and productivity. 'AI should be understood not as the end product, but as a process that supports students' cognitive (thinking) activities. 'If this understanding doesn't take root, it's not impossible that digital 'illnesses' like brain rot (mental fatigue) may affect university students. 'AI is an unavoidable phenomenon, and at the same time, a current necessity. 'Its exposure and practice as a learning support tool should be promoted as a value and part of the academic culture. 'A study by leading international publisher Wiley found that in 2024, AI contributed to a 72 per cent increase in academic dishonesty compared to 2021 in the United States and Canada. 'However, responsible and ethical AI guidance by educators has been shown to potentially reduce academic misconduct among students.' AI as part of ecosystem Meanwhile, the Malaysian Cyber Consumers Association (MCCA) views the increasing use of AI, particularly ChatGPT, among students in IPTs as a clear sign that higher education is undergoing a profound technological transformation. MCCA president Siraj Jalil says that AI is no longer a tool of the future, but has already become an integral part of the current ecosystem in IPTs. 'MCCA does not see this issue as entirely a threat, nor as an opportunity without risks. 'It lies in a grey area that can bring either benefits or harm depending on how it is used. 'If a student uses AI to enhance their understanding of a subject, generate ideas, or organise their thoughts, it can lead to progress. 'However, if it is used entirely without the involvement of reasoning, critical-thinking, and a sense of responsibility, then it clearly challenges academic integrity. 'Therefore, MCCA believes this is the time for IPTs to re-evaluate their approaches to assessment and learning – not to reject AI from educational methods, but to develop a framework that allows AI to be used ethically and effectively.' Siraj Jalil Siraj observes that the concerns of some lecturers regarding this issue should also be taken seriously. 'The MCCA has received a great deal of direct feedback from lecturers reporting a sharp increase in students submitting assignments almost entirely generated by AI. 'This not only disrupts the academic assessment process, but also raises uncertainty in terms of academic aesthetics and values. 'The solution to this issue isn't merely to impose restrictions or punishments, but to create a more responsible academic ecosystem – one that focuses on ethics and perhaps even redefines academic benchmarks beyond AI usage. 'Every IPT should develop clear AI usage guidelines and integrate AI literacy and academic ethics modules into student orientation and professional development for lecturers. 'Assignments should also be restructured to emphasise process rather than just outcomes, such as through presentations, reflective portfolios, or fieldwork,' he adds, noting that ethical use is shaped not by fear, but through understanding and clear guidance. At the same time, Siraj suggests that lecturers be given training on the use of AI in research and academic writing, including the importance of disclosing AI usage openly in methodology or references to safeguard academic integrity. 'Academic publications, especially journals and conference proceedings, should begin adapting their policies on AI-generated content. 'What matters most is striking a balance between innovation and integrity. 'This is to address concerns that some research content could be produced without critical review or clear AI usage disclosure.' Siraj also believes that the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), in collaboration with NAIO, could formulate a national policy or official guidelines on AI usage in IPTs. He proposes that such a policy would include several key components: permitted levels of AI usage, types of assignments appropriate for AI support, forms of misuse that warrant action, and AI literacy and ethics requirements for all campus communities. 'This policy should be developed inclusively, with engagement from academic experts, students, technology practitioners, and industry stakeholders to ensure it is responsive and practical. 'Responsible use of AI begins with the fundamental principle that AI is a tool – not a replacement for human reasoning. 'For students, responsibility begins with the awareness that learning is a process of self-development and understanding one's field, not just completing tasks for grades. 'Using AI to understand concepts or review writing structure is acceptable. 'But copying or generating an entire assignment without comprehension goes against the spirit and discipline of education,' says Siraj, adding that both students and lecturers must understand the risks and threats of AI misuse, including the possibility of false information, biased algorithms, and unverified content dissemination. Awareness, and high literacy Sharing his views, Muhammad Haziq Sabri, president of the Student Representative Council at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam for the 2024/2025 session, says ChatGPT has now become a common tool among university students, and has helped him significantly in completing assignments and preparing notes for examinations. 'It enables note generation from lecture slides and helps in understanding certain topics. 'Using ChatGPT to correct grammar and sentence structure also speeds up the process of completing assignments,' he says. Rejecting the notion that the use of AI, particularly ChatGPT, is a form of academic cheating, Muhammad Haziq says it should be seen as 'a modern learning support tool that must be used responsibly'. 'It becomes academic dishonesty when students just 'copy and paste' without understanding or modifying the content generated by ChatGPT. 'Almost all my friends also use ChatGPT, but not excessively; they focus on things like assignment structure and grammar-checking. 'So far, I have not heard of any students facing disciplinary action for AI misuse. 'Most students use ChatGPT responsibly because they understand that misuse could violate the university's academic ethics policies.' Muhammad Haziq Sabri Muhammad Haziq says according to Academic Circular No 5 of 2023, official guidelines on the use of ChatGPT in teaching and learning have been issued, adding that lecturers are encouraged to guide students on 'using ChatGPT ethically as a learning tool'. He says the circular also stresses the importance of ensuring that AI is used to foster critical thinking, understanding, and values – not merely for copying answers – as outlined in Article 6. 'This shows that the university not only allows the use of AI, but encourages its responsible use and provides guidelines,' says the Bachelor of Public Relations student from the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. For Muhammad Asyraf Daniyal Abdul Halid, 24, a Master's research student in Marine Biotechnology at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, ChatGPT serves as a guide, but over 90 per cent of the work comes from the student's own efforts in sourcing credible information with proper citations. Muhammad Asyraf Daniyal Abdul Halid 'ChatGPT really helps us search and compile necessary information, develop ideas, and get an overview of the assignments or projects given by lecturers. 'However, plagiarism and failure to fact-check information are common forms of misuse among students,' he adds, noting that not all students in IPTs have a high level of awareness and literacy when using such software. — Bernama
Malay Mail
20 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Nvidia scores US export licence win, clears path for AI chip sales to China
WASHINGTON, Aug 9 — The United States' Commerce Department has started issuing licences to Nvidia to export its H20 chips to China, a US official told Reuters yesterday, removing a significant hurdle to the AI bellwether's access to a key market. The US last month reversed an April ban on the sale of the H20 chip to China. The company had tailored the microprocessor specially to the Chinese market to comply with the Biden-era AI chip export controls. The curbs will slice US$8 billion (RM34 billion) off sales from its July quarter, the chipmaker has warned. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with Trump on Wednesday, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. A spokesperson for Nvidia declined comment. A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company said in July it was filing applications with the US government to resume sales to China of the H20 graphics processing unit, and had been assured it would get the licenses soon. It is unclear how many licenses may have been issued, which companies Nvidia is allowed to ship the H20s to, and the value of the shipments allowed. Nvidia disclosed in April that it expected a US$5.5 billion charge related to the restrictions. In May, Nvidia said the actual first-quarter charge due to the H20 restrictions was US$1 billion less than expected because it was able to reuse some materials. The Financial Times first reported yesterday's developments. Nvidia said last month that its products have no 'backdoors' that would allow remote access or control after China raised concerns over potential security risks in the H20 chip. Big market Exports of Nvidia's other advanced AI chips, barring the H20, to China are still restricted. Successive US administrations have curbed exports of advanced chips to China, looking to stymie Beijing's AI and defence development. While this has impacted US firms' ability to fully address booming demand from China, one of the world's largest semiconductor markets, it still remains an important revenue driver for American chipmakers. Huang has said the company's leadership position could slip without sales to China, where developers were being courted by Huawei Technologies with chips produced in China. In May, Nvidia said the H20 had brought in US$4.6 billion in sales in the first quarter and that China accounted for 12.5 per cent of overall revenue during the period. — Reuters
Malay Mail
20 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar urges pondok teachers to embrace AI, digital skills to meet new era's challenges
MACHANG, Aug 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged pondok school teachers in the country to master information technology and AI to meet the challenges of the digital era. He said failure to grasp the latest technologies could cause the traditional religious institution to be overwhelmed by 'a new wave of attacks' of the mind that have replaced past forms of colonisation. 'If we do not master it, others will, and our children will adopt AI based on the frameworks of the United States or France. So, how do we change the approach to this AI framework? It is by ensuring our children have resilience, an understanding of Islam, intelligence and wisdom in knowing what they want to achieve,' he said. He made this statement while delivering a speech at the opening of the Madani Ijtimak (Assembly) of Kelantan Islamic Scholars and Pondok Teachers 2025 at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Machang campus, here today. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. Anwar also said it was time to rebuild the pondok institution as a stronghold of Islamic history to counter secular influences. 'Last month, I called in officials from the Finance Ministry to find a way to rebuild pondok (schools) as strongholds. Only then will Madani be realised in its true sense,' he added. Earlier, Anwar presented a contribution totalling RM1.03 million to representatives of pondok schools attending the National Umara'-Ulama Pondok Dialogue (UMRAN) 2025. Previously, Anwar was quoted as saying that the government would restore and elevate the country's pondok institution so that it can remain a bulwark for safeguarding the faith, morals, and character of the Muslim ummah in line with current needs. He stated that this initiative involves collaboration between the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to ensure that religious and pondok schools can be upgraded with new facilities and technology. — Bernama
