PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) seized 60kg of mandarin oranges from Pakistan found to be without valid import permits and phytosanitary certificates from the country of origin at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on Tuesday (Dec 26).
Selangor Maqis director Mohd Sobri Md Hashim said a group of Pakistani nationals tried to bring in the fruits, which the Royal Malaysian Customs Department detected on its scanning machine around 7pm on Tuesday.
"This is a violation under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728)," he said in a statement today.
He said the enforcement will always ensure that plants, animals, carcasses, fish, agricultural produce, soil and microorganisms imported into Malaysia are free from pests, diseases and contaminants, and do not adversely affect the country's agricultural sector.
A phytosanitary certificate is issued by the exporting country as an attestation or confirmation that the treatment or requirements specified in the import licence have been complied with.
-- BERNAMA