TAWAU, Jan. 15 – A total of RM6.6 million worth of contraband controlled goods were seized under the Supply Control Act 1961 last year, involving 714 cases, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumption, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) had received 250 cases handed over by other agencies involving seizures worth RM5.2 million under the same law, including 13 cases. smuggling gas tanks, cooking oil, wheat flour, gasoline and sugar. RM134,423 to Pulau Sebatik here during the same period.
“The issue of smuggling of controlled goods across Malaysia’s international borders involving Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore is what the ministry will focus on preventing,” he said after a working visit to Pulau Sebatik today.
He said the smuggling was due to the lack of a border control center at the entry point between Malaysia and Indonesia, for example at Pulau Sebatik, Tawau.
“Apart from the price of Malaysian products, which are much cheaper than neighboring countries, high demand and family ties between residents in the border area complicate control efforts,” he said.
As such, Alexander said the enforcement of measures to curb leakage of controlled goods at the border needed to be strengthened as the country suffered huge losses from smuggling activities.
“Cooperation with other agencies including the Maritime Police Force, Malaysian Maritime Law Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) needs to be strengthened, including more joint operations, as well as due diligence by performing audits at every point in the controlled goods distribution chain,” he said.
According to him, the community also has a role to play in helping the government fight against the smuggling of controlled goods at the border by transmitting information to the authorities.
“Over the past year, the department received 416 complaints related to the smuggling of controlled items, which greatly helps us to detect and take action,” Alexander said.
He said the ministry provides various complaint channels such as: Whatsapp 019-2794317; Call Center 1-800-886-800; email to [email protected] and the Application Control Center (ECC) at 03-88826088/6245. — Bernama
