KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) 's total revenue collection as of Aug 31, 2024, reached RM41.68bil.
Customs Datuk Director General Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said this was higher than the amount collected in the same period last year, which was RM36.13bil.
"This is a remarkable achievement, showing that the customs department is on the right track.
"The results of the strategy we have made are now bearing fruit," she said in the Ruang Bicara program produced by Bernama TV on Thursday (Sept 26).
On the overall revenue collection target this year, Anis Rizana said she is confident that the customs department would achieve the RM56bil target set by the Finance Ministry.
According to her, in 2023 Customs managed to record revenue collection of RM55.1bil, which is higher than the projected RM53.5bil.
Meanwhile, Anis Rizana said the Customs had also resolved 5,196 cases and seized RM1.25bil in goods, duties, and taxes in the first eight months of 2024.
She said this was a 42.47% increase in value compared to RM884.26mil during the same period last year.
"Among the notable successes this year was the seizure of 15 containers carrying 150.26 million cigarettes, 30 tons of tobacco, and 32.5 tons of plastic waste, collectively valued at RM118.18mil,” said Anis Rizana.
She also highlighted a case involving the seizure of 622kg of methamphetamine from Malaysia to Australia by the Australian Border Force (ABF) on Oct 12, 2023, describing it as one of the department's most significant challenges.
Anis Rizana attributed this success to significant reforms and enforcement strategies implemented within the department.
She said the improvements implemented included 100% inspections of import and export containers at all ports of entry and the introduction of the Import Export Support Document System (SDSIE).
She added that the SDSIE was launched in Port Klang, Selangor, and a nationwide rollout is planned in stages.
This "seamless trade facilitation" initiative aims to prevent individuals from holding excessive power over the Customs Form screening process, streamlining operations for importers and shipping agents.
In addition, Anis Rizana said 66 high-tech scanning machines utilising artificial intelligence (AI) technology were deployed nationwide to enhance merchandise inspection efficiency and combat smuggling activities.
"Twenty-four Proton X70 concession vehicles have been procured and dispatched to the JKDM Sabah Zone, along with 20 new Narcotic Detection Dogs deployed across Malaysia. Having adequate assets significantly enhances our operational efficiency," she said.
Anis Rizana added that several international agreements have been signed with countries like Singapore and Japan.
She also noted that the customs department has been officially appointed as the Audit Committee Representative for the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in the Asia-Pacific region, effective from July 2024 to June 2026. – Bernama
