Latest news with #MalaysianBorderControlandProtectionAgency
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Record 279 foreigners blocked from entering Malaysia in one day
SEPANG: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA) recorded its highest number of Not-To-Land (NTL) actions in a single day after denying entry to 279 foreigners at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday. In a statement today, the agency said those denied entry included 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis, and six Indian nationals. All were deported after failing to meet immigration requirements. "The individuals were sent back to their countries of origin immediately after documentation and further checks were completed," the agency said. MBCA said the record-breaking figure reflected a rising trend of attempted illegal entries during peak travel periods and public holidays, when high passenger traffic is often exploited to bypass screening procedures. "This action is part of ongoing efforts to tighten border controls and ensure that only individuals who meet all legal conditions are allowed entry." The 279 cases were detected by the KLIA Border Control Monitoring Team, which was established in 2023 to improve early screening and identify high-risk travellers. "The success demonstrates MBCA's commitment to consistent and firm enforcement in protecting national security and sovereignty," it added.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Counter-setting probe: Foreigners willing to 'camp out' at KLIA for days
SEPANG: An investigation into counter-setting has revealed that foreigners looking to enter the country in this way spend days at the arrival hall of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) probe showed that they would loiter in groups or among other foreign travellers. According to Sinar Harian, these foreigners are willing to remain there for extended periods of time after arrival while awaiting a call from syndicate agents to walk a "safe route" through Immigration checks — a practice otherwise known as counter-setting. The arrival of these foreigners is arranged by certain agents using social visit passes but they fail to comply with the conditions of entry. A MCBA surveillance operation found that some of these foreigners were seen remaining in the arrival hall for two days. After arriving, the group would pretend to be tourists and linger in certain areas, particularly those with facilities such as seating, phone charging points, and toilets, in an attempt to deceive enforcement officers conducting daily surveillance. When approached, some tried to flee or caused a scene by shouting and refusing to show their passports. They were even found to have return tickets but had deliberately cancelled them. A Pakistani man detained by MCBA showed his passport but failed to present a return flight ticket, and the details of his hotel booking was found to be suspicious. KLIA MBCA commander Ibrahim Mohd Yusof said attempts to bring in foreigners without complying with legal entry requirements continuously occur. "(The syndicates) use various methods and exploit loopholes, including colluding with officers who lack integrity. "These foreigners have been found loitering beyond the allowable time period without reporting to the Immigration counters, particularly in the arrival hall. "They also gather in specific locations to avoid inspection or wait for agents or intermediaries to arrange their illegal entry," he said. Ibrahim added that there were attempts to enter the country under the guise of legitimate activities such as skill training, sporting events, or tourist packages under invitations or collaborations with third parties based in Malaysia. From January to April this year, a total of 8,796 entry rejection notices were issued at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2. "The countries with the highest number of rejections are Bangladesh (3,673 people), Pakistan (1,749), India (1,598), Indonesia (717) and Vietnam (197). "Of those denied entry, 87.23 per cent were men and the other 12.81 were women," said Ibrahim. He welcomed the government's initiative through the Home Ministry to expand the use of the automated gate system, including the use of the MyBorderPass application.( "This initiative greatly assists in addressing the issue of counter-setting at entry points, particularly at KLIA, and helps reduce congestion at manual checkpoints during entry and exit, especially during peak hours. "MBCA remains committed to ensuring strict control at all KLIA entry points," he added. Ibrahim said that measures already implemented or currently underway include strengthening surveillance teams, especially at high-risk areas such as the international airport arrival halls. Regular monitoring of on-ground officers has also been enhanced to ensure all staff adhere to current directives, act professionally, and do not compromise on job integrity. "MBCA also conducts real-time screening and surveillance via closed-circuit television (CCTV) on field officers and suspicious travellers, including those who fail to report promptly to the immigration counters after arrival. "We greatly appreciate the vigilance of the KLIA community, who share information and lodge reports regarding the presence of suspicious foreigners in their areas," he said. On May 18, MBCA received a report, and based on the information, successfully detained four Bangladeshis who had failed to report for immigration checks after arriving several days earlier. "Cross-agency collaboration is also being strengthened to enable swift response to intelligence related to syndicates or any form of abuse of the country's entry channels," said Ibrahim. He said these measures are proactive steps to safeguard national security and the integrity of the immigration system from being undermined by external elements seeking to break the law.
Daily Express
23-05-2025
- Daily Express
2 nabbed in KLIA trying to smuggle over 300 exotic animals
Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 23, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: The animals included blue iguanas, red-eared sliders, savannah monitors, nile monitors, common spotted cuscus, black-throated monitors, and others. PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency has arrested two Malaysian men at KLIA Terminal 1 as they tried to smuggle hundreds of exotic animals out of the country on Wednesday. The agency said checks conducted at 6.30am uncovered more than 300 exotic wildlife that were hidden in several bags belonging to the duo. The animals included blue iguanas, red-eared sliders, savannah monitors, nile monitors, common spotted cuscus, black-throated monitors, and others. They had an estimated total value of about RM460,000 and were confiscated for further action. It said the two suspects did not have any documents or permits allowing them to transport the animals out of the country. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
23-05-2025
- The Star
Suspected smugglers nabbed, 300 protected animals seized at KLIA
SEPANG: Exotic and protected animals worth RM460,000 were seized while two suspected wildlife traffickers were arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) earlier this week. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) said the bust was made at Terminal 1 on Wednesday (May 21). "Checks at around 6.30am led to the discovery of over 300 protected animals hidden in the suspects' bags," it said in a statement on Friday (May 23). Among the species found were the blue iguana; red-eared slider turtle; Savannah, Nile and black-throated monitor lizards; and the common spotted cuscus, a marsupial. "The two suspects failed to produce any documents, permits, or letters authorising the export of these animals. "The animals have been seized for further action. "Their estimated value has been placed at around RM460,000," it said. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
64 foreigners stopped at KLIA for failing entry requirements
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) thwarted an attempt by 64 foreign men to enter Malaysia without meeting the entry requirements during a regular monitoring operation at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, Sepang, yesterday. In a statement today, the agency said that during the operation, random checks were conducted on 330 foreigners from various countries, focusing on individuals exhibiting suspicious behaviour and those loitering around the arrival hall without proceeding directly to the immigration check counter. It said that following checks, 57 Bangladeshis, five Indians and two Pakistanis were found not meeting the requirements to enter the country. "Some of them were also detected using fraudulent tactics to mislead authorities, including the use of false documents such as invalid hotel bookings and return flight tickets that did not exist or were fabricated," according to the statement. The agency added that the operation was carried out to ensure that security and border control are at the highest level. " We reiterate our commitment to continue strengthening efforts to ensure that the country's sovereignty and border security are always protected from any elements of aggression, fraud or other threats."
