Friday 01 April 2022 20:32 MYT
PASIR MAS, April 1 – The Department of Internal Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has foiled 714 attempts to smuggle items subsidized under the Supply Control Act 1961, worth $6.6 million of RM last year, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid.
He said of the total, 250 cases related to the smuggling of controlled and subsidized goods across the country’s borders across the country, with seizures valued at RM5.18 million.
He added that so far this year, a total of 31 cases of similar offenses have been recorded at the borders, involving seizure of goods under the same law, worth RM1.71 million.
“The KPDNEHP takes the matter seriously, especially the cases that occurred at the country’s international borders with Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore.
“It has a negative impact and a loss for the country, as these controlled and subsidized items should be enjoyed by Malaysians.
“However, these items have been smuggled by irresponsible parties to make lucrative profits,” he said after the Malaysia-Thailand border reopening monitoring visit to the immigration compound, Rantau Panjang Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS), here today.
Rosol said the ministry will step up border enforcement, especially at Bukit Kayu Hitam and Wang Kelian, with relevant agencies after the border reopens today.
He said the KPDNEHP would like to remind all traders to be more responsible when selling controlled and subsidized items to the public, and that stern action would be taken against errant traders, including revoking their trading license. — Bernama
