NEWLY-APPOINTED Customs director-general Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy has voiced his determination and commitment to tackle smuggling and strengthen integrity among his men.
Subromaniam, who took over the post on March 24, wants to plug loopholes that lead to corruption and leakages in tax collection.
He said syndicates were using free zone areas to smuggle in liquor and cigarettes by posing as legitimate companies importing goods from overseas.
The cases came to light when illicit liquor, worth more than RM26 million, was seized in two raids at the free zone area of Port Tanjung Pelepas in Johor.
I congratulate Subromaniam for curbing smuggling, which has cost the country billions of ringgit in tax losses.
He walked his talk when the department confiscated three containers of illicit cigarettes in Port Klang, which cost the
government RM18 million in duties.
It is a significant seizure as for every 12m container of contraband cigarettes smuggled, the government loses RM6 million.
I hope that the Customs Department will intensify its collaboration with enforcement agencies to stop smuggling through seaports and coastal areas.
Based on media reports, smugglers also bring in cigarettes using small boats or “bot pancung”.
It will be an uphill task for the Customs Department to monitor the more than 6,000km stretch of our shoreline.
It should instead use the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS), which involves other enforcement agencies, such as the police, Immigration Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the armed forces.
Smugglers have become more creative and the Customs Department must strengthen cooperation with regional counterparts and invest in technology, including installing scanners in entry points.
NBOS must be expanded to include courier companies to help check thousands of parcels that come into the country through online shopping.
The Customs Department, with other enforcement agencies and courier companies, must prepare for the surge in parcel shipments with the launching of the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) recently.
It should implement an integrated and centralised system and use technology to check parcels without jeopardising the speed of shipments.
At the same time, other law enforcement agencies must also intensify security at DFTZ and borders.
They should conduct checks to prevent illegal items or their parts, including firearms, from being smuggled in.
Subromaniam must take action against those involved in corruption. Only when the Customs Department is purged of corrupt personnel will its credibility be reinforced.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Kuala Lumpur