Malaysian Customs prosecuted 162 smugglers in Sarawak

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MIRI: The Customs Department prosecuted 162 smugglers in Sarawak this year. Customs deputy director-general Datuk Matrang Suhaili said bringing the culprits to court was part of the department’s efforts to combat smuggling in the state.
“Smuggling activities in the country and state have brought about billions of ringgit in tax losses,” he told the media after the launching of a community service programme at Kampung Tanjung Bungai, Bekenu yesterday.
He said the culprits were fined a total of RM628,000.
To strengthen Customs enforcement against smuggling, Matrang pointed out that two trained tactical teams equipped with sidearms would be stationed in every state.
Matrang said the Customs Department has spent RM2 million to equip and train the teams to intercept and face smugglers at all entry points on land and at sea.
He added that Customs Sarawak successfully collected RM2.166 billion from January to Dec 27 this year compared to RM961.465 million during the same period last year.
On enforcement in the state, he said the department seized contraband goods including cigarettes, beer, fireworks and vehicles worth RM7.044 million involving taxes amounting to RM20.328 million from January to November this year.
This was a 45 per cent increase compared to RM4.857 million worth of contraband goods with taxes amounting to RM8.007 million last year.
Matrang said vehicles topped the list of commodities seized in Sarawak this year at RM2.240 million with taxes amounting to RM2.445 million followed by cigarettes worth RM1.754 million with taxes amounting to RM15.698.
He pointed out that Sarawak is among the states that recorded a high level of contraband goods.
Last year, 636 cases were recorded with 238 involving cigarette smuggling.
As of Nov 30 this year, 534 cases were recorded, with 155 cases involving cigarette smuggling.
“With these statistics, Sarawak Customs is serious in combating smuggling activities including raids with relevant government agencies and calling on the public at large to come forward,” he added.
Last year, Customs collected RM3.6 billion from cigarette taxes nationwide.
Matrang added that cigarette smuggling saw the government lose RM1.2 billion in taxes annually.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Early Childhood Education and Family Development Rosey Yunus called on fishermen to report any sighting of contraband goods transactions to counter smuggling.
“Fishermen know better who are the people at sea fishing or doing suspicious activities including smuggling,” she said when officiating at the event.
The Bekenu assemblywoman said villagers should also monitor their children’s activities as drugs pushers are targeting young people.
“Parents and village committees must monitor the youths and teenagers’ movements to prevent them from being involved in drugs and negative activities,” she said.