He said the draft legislation was expected to be tabled in Parliament at the end of this year.
The new Act would empower Aksem to enforce the law pertaining to border security, said Zahid, who is also the home minister.
“The preliminary draft has been prepared by the legal adviser to the home ministry.
“We will have the Attorney-General’s Chambers scrutinise the draft and we will work with the states bordering Thailand before tabling it in Parliament,” he told a press conference after the launch of Aksem at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Aksem Complex here today.
“We have to obtain feedback from the state governments and the people on the legislation.”
Zahid had announced the establishment of Aksem last year, saying it comprised personnel from the police, Immigration, Customs, National Anti-Drugs Agency and the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board.
He said for the time being, Aksem would operate as an administrative entity, with enforcement backup from the National Security Council.
The new Act would enable Aksem to operate on its own in a comprehensive and more effective manner, he said.
Zahid also announced that the Malaysian Border Security Agency had been renamed Malaysian Border Control Agency, and that SAC Mohamad Ismail had been appointed its first director-general.
Mohamad was the chief of staff of Special Forces of the Eastern Sabah Security Command.
The minister said the officers and personnel serving at the border would be transferred out within three to six months to prevent complacency and loose security control.
“We know that this can cause problems for the families but these can be overcome. We cannot compromise on the question of security.”
Earlier, in his speech, Zahid said since Aksem went into operation last year, the value of smuggled goods seized had risen to RM42.7 million from RM19.3 million in 2014.
“That was within a year of the establishment of Aksem, meaning if we step up our efforts, we can achieve much more success.
“In 2016, up to May 15, Aksem conducted 7,251 operations and seized smuggled goods valued at RM15.5 million, among them rice, liquor and drugs.”
He explained that as enforcement was an important element to ensure security and control at the country’s border, the government decided that enforcement departments and agencies operating at the border cooperate through the National Blue Ocean Strategy concept.
Zahid also urged Thailand to extend close cooperation in the sharing of information and expertise to ensure the common border was well safeguarded.
“But to extend our cooperation, we need to translate and collaborate in terms of getting into detail our plan of action. We need to know in which area we should collaborate.”
Asked whether a new border fence would be constructed to replace the old one erected in the 1970s, Zahid said the government would have to consider several aspects of this matter.
“We cannot only consider the cost of the fence. We will also have to see how to solve related problems, particularly the smuggling of drugs, firearms and subsidised goods.”
The Malaysia-Thailand border stretches 646km but only 111km is fenced.
Present at the event were Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim and Vice-Governor of Songkhla, southern Thailand, Anuchit Traku Imutita.
– BERNAMA