Datuk Masir Kujat
KUALA LUMPUR: The Chief Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak can be invited to attend the high-level committee meetings of the Malaysia Border Control Agency (Aksem) to give their advice on any matter even though they are not members of the committees, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Masir Kujat said this was in line with the provisions of Sub-section 6(3) and 9(3)of the Aksem Bill 2017 which allowed the high-level committee and the coordinating committee to invite anyone to head the committees.
”As such, there is nothing to prevent the committees from inviting anyone who is not a member to attend the meetings,” he said when winding up the debate on the bill.
Earlier, when tabling the bill, Masir said the bill provided for two special committees comprising the chairman and members from various ministries, government departments and agencies.
He said the Coordination Committee was responsible for the prevention of smuggling activities and making recommendations to the High-Level Committee to consider and approve them.
Masir also said since it was formed in 2016, Aksem had performed its functions effectively, having confiscated smuggled items, worth RM38.6 million compared to RM18.2 million in 2014.
The Bill was then passed by Senate.
On Aug 9, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when winding up the debate on the Bill said it was meant to control the Malaysian land border from smuggling or other activities which contravened the law.
He added that the act was also aimed at boosting the role of the Smuggling Prevention Unit through collaborations between various agencies and more staff.
Meanwhile, the Senate also passed the Armed Forces Fund Bill (Amendment) 2017 which is aimed at ensuring the welfare of non-pensionable officers and staff under the veterans annuity scheme.
Through the new scheme, members of the armed forces who are not pensionable will receive a fixed monthly income through the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT). — Bernama