Former Graft Buster: Customs Anti-Corruption and Enhanced Enforcement Now Leads to 20% Jump in Illegal Cigarette Seizure

KUALA LUMPUR, 31 MAY 2024 – The Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s (Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia or JDKM) focus on addressing corruption amongst its ranks and increasing its efforts to tackle the illegal cigarette trade has resulted in tangible progress, said Dato’ Seri Dr. Akhbar Satar, the President of Malaysia Integrity and Governance Society (MIG)in a statement today. 

Based on the tracking of enforcement news reports, Dato’ Seri Dr. Akhbar Satar stated that the number of illegal cigarettes seized and confiscated has increased by over 20% in the first quarterof 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Illegal cigarette prevalence in Malaysia has seen an improvement from 56.4% in January 2024 to 55.4% in March 2024 according to Nielsen’sIllicit Cigarette Study in Malaysia.

Former Graft Buster on Illegal Cigarettes

Dato’ Seri Dr. Akhbar Satar, said, “When the current Customs Director General, Dato’ Anis Rizana, was appointed on 23 September 2023, she has vowed seriously “going all out” to address corruption. One of the strategies was done through personnel transfer, replacing and acting against rogue officers who allegedly took bribes from smuggling syndicates and caused billions in losses to the country’s revenue.”.

In April, Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised the Customs Director General for her bravery and swift action in removing the staff from their workplace in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo terminal and taking disciplinary action against them. The Prime Minister also set her actions as an example to motivate more leaders to act rather than hiding and protecting those who commit wrongdoings.”

“Recent news reports have also put a spotlight on a series of high-profile raids, including RM12.8 million illegal cigarettes and liquor busts by the Customs Melaka at two separate raids in Johor. Another high-profile case in Negeri Sembilan, the Customs seized over RM 600,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and liquor at a 3-storey bungalow which was rented by Bangladesh nationals,” he added.

According to Dato’ Dr. Seri Akhbar Satar, the Customs Director General is clearly taking the right steps to eradicate illegal trade, which has cost the Government billions of Ringgit Malaysia annually in uncollected tax revenue. “Her efforts may be unpopular to those without integrity and corrupted, and there may be ongoing behind-the-scenes action to remove her from her position.”

Encourage and Support

“Government leaders and all Malaysians should encourage, support and protect the Customs Director General as well as the dedicated, many hardworking and honest personnel in the Customs Department so that they can perform their duties to the best of their abilities without fear and repercussions. We shouldn’t let a few bad apples destroy our country’s enforcement institutions,” he urged.

A week ago, a Customs officer was charged in the Sessions Court in Johor with 38 bribery charges amounting to RM14,950, which happened between 2017 and 2021 while on duty as aSenior Customs Assistant at KLIA. Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail charged the ex-Customs officer under Section 165 of the Penal Code and face up to 2 years in jail or a fine or both if convicted.

Three Customs officers were charged in the Shah Alam sessions court a few days ago foraccepting bribes since 2017. They were said to have received the bribes from the 38-year-old owner of a company through online transactions as an incentive to let the company’s lorries go unchecked when exiting the KLIA Cargo terminal. They were charged under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act and faced up to 20 years in jail or a minimum fine of RM10,000 if convicted. 

Read More Business News