Malaysia's military pushes for joint agency task force to tighten border security

In an interview ahead of the 93rd Armed Forces Day, General Malek Razak Sulaiman outlined plans for an integrated border-security framework that mirrors the National Task Force used during Covid-19. The scheme would align the armed forces with the police, Immigration Department, Customs, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to address vulnerabilities along both land and sea routes. The proposal has already been submitted to the National Security Council through the National Operations Planning Committee for consideration.

Malek emphasized that the northern stretch from Kedah to Kelantan is largely secured by the military, though illegal entrants are still occasionally apprehended and transferred to civilian agencies. He also highlighted ongoing cooperation with Thailand and Indonesia, especially in the strategic Strait of Malacca, to monitor maritime traffic. The chief stressed that any remaining gaps are due to sophisticated smuggling tactics rather than a lack of commitment.