There is urgent need to address the critical issue of securing our borders as part of the broader effort to secure our nation from threat against foreign enemies, terrorist threats, criminal activities which includes trafficking in drugs, the smuggling of weapons and other illegal contraband, and human trafficking.
We must acknowledge that we cannot separately address border security whether the threat is from air, land, or sea; people or cargo; transportation modes; technology; intelligence; law enforcement; trade and other economic consideration. In addition, as we improve one aspect of border security, increased security threats may be displaced to other areas.
For example, if policies and initiatives to control and prevent illegal activity across our land borders become more successful, we could probably expect to see a shift in security threats in maritime or air. Therefore, a comprehensive innovative approach must be taken into consideration when designing and developing a strategic security framework, of which border security is only one part.
The maritime challenges to border security are enormous. Every day maritime cargo containers pass through Malaysia n ports. In addition, other cargo not carried in containers, such as oil, natural gas, and hundreds of fishing boats are part of the larger picture of maritime security. The millions of people and tonnes of cargo that cross our borders are the economic lifeblood of this nation.
Decisions about security at the border have the potential to affect the livelihood of thousands of Malaysians and neighbouring citizens which is a significant portion of the Malaysian economy.
Is additional security fencing along borders, patrolling our sea front and the significant increase in law enforcement and military presence at entry and exit points sufficient for the task of protecting our nation’s borders? In addition, do we need to more intensely intensify the screening of containers and cargo entering our ports (land, sea and air)?
These kinds of questions address important pieces of the overall picture of border security; however, they do not address the comprehensive question which the government and the public are most concerned: do we have an organised, systematic and coordinated border security framework?
Our priority and main objective should be to manage the risks associated with our borders intelligently, effectively and efficiently. Risk assessment is a must. Risk assessment identifies a credible threat of attack on a vulnerable target that would result in unwanted consequences that result in deaths, injuries, disruptions, or other outcomes that adversely affect society.
Risk assessment also addresses uncertainty. Uncertainty is a potential, unpredictable, and uncontrollable outcome.
Top priority for this nation
The task of establishing a national border security and control policy and strategy must be top priority for this nation. What would an effective and efficient national border security control policy and strategy consist of?
An effective and efficient strategy must include the following: The establishment of quantified benchmarks, and performance and effectiveness metrics. Benchmarks and metrics will help us understand which programs are working, which ones merit additional investment and priority, and which ones should be deemphasized or discontinued.
There is also a need to develop a comprehensive border technology roadmap. There is no shortage of new and potentially useful technologies for use in border security. When designing and developing the technology roadmap, we should be careful not to prescribe technology as the most critical component of a national border control strategy.
Another crucial factor is the integration of planning and coordination among border security agencies. These agencies should develop comprehensive operational plans that clearly articulate the roles, missions, responsibilities, coordination and communications line among the various entities. Evaluation is necessary in order to determine how effectively and efficiently those agencies are operating and are able to operate collectively.
In addition, other entities have responsibilities that must be part of a comprehensive, department-wide approach to effective and efficient border security.
The coordination of border security with comprehensive immigration and border management policies is evidently top priority. Effective border management requires more than capability to intercept illicit cargo and people. It also requires understanding how measures put in place for security affect how goods and people move across our borders.
The effects that these policies have on our population and neighbouring population have the potential to affect dramatically both economies and the delicate social fabric of society. Human and civil rights implications must be addressed. Human and civil rights must be guarded and honoured.
Programmes for border security must always consider the effects of implementation on these critical issues. Again, it must be designed and developed intelligently, effectively and efficiently. It must not be punitive or it will be rejected. It must aid all on both sides of the border. Last but not least, if corruption and questionable levels of integrity interferes in this process, then sad to say we are doomed.
P SUNDRAMOORTHY is a member of the Research Team on Crime & Policing, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
