Speaking at the ministry’s monthly assembly, he said there was an urgent need to address the matter of basic amenities for enforcement agency personnel.

“The condition of some of these security posts is unsatisfactory. In fact, some burger stalls look better,” he said, referring to his observations during visits to posts in Padang Besar (Perlis), Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah), Durian Burung, and Pangkalan Hulu (Perak).

He said he had instructed the ministry’s secretary-general, Awang Alik Jeman, to look into the matter, particularly the security posts in Pangkalan Hulu which he described as very rundown.

“We can upgrade it as we did for the post in Wang Kelian, and it did not cost much. I want this to be expedited,” he said.

On a separate matter, Saifuddin said he had instructed the police to refine procedures for monitoring petrol stations to curb fuel smuggling.

He said the scope of duties and the applicable laws must be clearly defined to prevent confusion.

“We need to work smart,” he said, adding that policemen would be placed at 170 “high-risk” petrol stations near the border.

On Saturday, the Cabinet agreed to deploy police personnel at petrol stations to strengthen monitoring and enforcement, amid rising risks of fuel leakages following the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said the move was an expansion of the ministry’s static enforcement deployment, which has been in place since March 20.