KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia formed a new agency to oversee its border control on Sunday, solidifying the government's commitment to creating a smooth and efficient border control framework.

The Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency will consolidate border control responsibilities at the country's international entry points, which are currently shared by multiple agencies, into a single entity, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the media following the launch ceremony.

"It is all about national security, and if the borders are not well protected, then national security will be at stake and exposed to criminal elements such as illegal weapons and criminals," he said, adding that competent border control will help reduce such risks.

The agency will take over 114 border checkpoints nationwide in stages, with the first phase involving some 22 checkpoints, including Malaysia's busiest checkpoints, mainly the Johor Causeway and Second Link, which connect to neighboring Singapore. Enditem

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