The Immigration Department is planning to set up dedicated drone units in every state as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement activities and improve nationwide surveillance capabilities.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said each state’s enforcement division has already trained personnel capable of operating drones as an initial step before the establishment of the units.
He said the department began using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in 2021 after acquiring several small drones for intelligence gathering and surveillance purposes.
“In 2024, the department expanded its drone capabilities by obtaining additional units to support increasing operational needs, particularly in enforcement activities,” he said.
According to Zakaria, drones are now being utilised by Immigration enforcement divisions across the country during various operations and raids.
He said the technology has become an important tool for officers as it allows aerial monitoring during operations, reduces risks faced by enforcement personnel and assists in locating individuals attempting to escape or hide, including detainees who flee from Immigration depots.
Drones are also used to gather information in difficult-to-reach locations, helping enforcement teams plan operations more effectively.
Zakaria added that the department intends to further improve its drone capabilities by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the future.
He said AI-enabled drones could assist in mapping targeted operational areas and provide more advanced surveillance functions.
“Drones are deployed in almost every enforcement operation, depending on the suitability of the location and operational requirements.
“While the success of an operation still depends on the officers involved, drone technology has improved enforcement effectiveness by helping teams detect and monitor targets during raids, contributing to better operational outcomes,” he said.
He said the department would continue increasing the number of drones and trained drone operators based on future enforcement needs.
Zakaria stressed that drones should no longer be seen as an additional feature but as an essential enforcement tool to support intelligence gathering, surveillance, raids, suspect tracking and security monitoring at detention facilities.
