Due to rapid technological development, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department must keep abreast with the latest digital technology in their management and operations, urged Chief Minister YAB Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
In his remarks during the official opening of the 83rd Malaysian Customs Directors Meeting in Kuching on 5th February 2018, the Chief Minister added that utilizing these technologies would enable them to confront new challenges brought about by the changing global economic landscape, specifically in terms of collection of taxes from increasingly sophisticated traders.
To ensure effective and efficient enforcement in Sarawak, he assured the Customs Department that several measures are being undertaken by the State Government to help improve facilities and infrastructure required for the department in the State, including the upgrading of customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complexes, particularly in Sungai Tujuh and Tebedu.
Earlier in his welcoming remarks, Director-General of Customs Malaysia YBhg Dato’ Sri Subromaniam Tholasy informed the audience of Customs Department Sarawak’s performance in curbing smuggling activities in the State.
Throughout 2017, the enforcement division of the State Customs Department had successfully seized various smuggled goods including cigarettes, liquor and fireworks worth more than RM20 million involving taxes totalling over RM27 billion.
In the same period, the department had secured 613 cases involving numerous customs-related offences, which was an increase from 549 cases in 2016.
Meanwhile, Sarawak played host to the 83rd Malaysian Customs Directors Meeting, which was themed “Empowering the Core Business of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.”
Held three times a year, the event in general is the highest department-level meeting chaired by the director-general, and is a platform to deliberate and resolve current issues and the latest policies related to the department.
