SEPANG: The Customs Department Central Zone has seized a luxury vehicle believed to have been imported without an Approved Permit (AP) worth nearly RM2 million.
Its assistant director-general Norlela Ismail said the vehicle known as a Range Rover SV Auto is believed to have been imported without an AP under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
She added that the vehicle was seized at the MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) around 4pm on March 25.
Upon inspection, it was revealed that the vehicle did not have a valid import permit.
"The vehicle is also a conditionally restricted import item unless it has a licence or permit stipulated under Item No. 3 (2) of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023 under Part I of the Second Schedule.
"The vehicle is also estimated to be worth about RM1,097,300 involving an estimated amount of duties/taxes of RM1,884,000," she told a press conference today.
Asked whether the ministry was aware of the matter, Norlela said there might be a possibility that the ministry was not aware as the vehicle had just arrived in Malaysia.
"Based on initial investigation, it is believed that the vehicle is from Europe and it is an offence as it does not own the approved permit once landed in Malaysia.
"The department is also investigating the mastermind behind the case."
Norlela added that the vehicle had also been taken to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) enforcement office for further investigation.
The case is now being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967, which is importing fully assembled motor vehicles without a permit.
"If convicted, the court may impose a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM100,000 and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000," she said.