PUTRAJAYA: A Bill is being formulated to set up the sole national border agency (SBA), says the Home Minister.

       Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Cabinet had agreed to the proposal for the Bill to enable the establishment of SBA, which would use one name and operate as the new border control agency.

       Speaking to reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday, he said there are 23 agencies on duty at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and 14 agencies at Sultan Abu Bakar Complex in Johor, as well as nine in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

       “The government’s intention in setting up SBA is the right decision so that the delivery system is more efficient and faster, with better coordination among agencies and improves the issue of integrity,” he added.

       Following the Cabinet’s decision, Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry and the Attorney-General’s Chambers have started work to craft the Bill to be tabled in Parliament in the first quarter of this year, Bernama reported.

       The plan for SBA was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2024 on Oct 13 last year, as an initiative to strengthen the national defence and security.

       It was reported that the Home Ministry will lead the implementation of SBA to regulate the country’s 141 entry points.

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