Sabah’s extensive maritime borders make it a prime target for smugglers, but the Royal Malaysian Customs Department is stepping up. With advanced scanning equipment and increased personnel, the department is staying ahead of illegal activities in the region.
Assistant Director-General of Customs for the Sabah Zone, Siti Mang, highlighted the critical role technology plays in tackling smuggling operations.
“We know Sabah has vast water coastline, and those engaging in illegal activities will always find ways around the law. So, we need to stay ahead of them,” she said.
One of the key upgrades is the implementation of sophisticated scanner machines that ensure accurate identification of goods. “We are strengthening these tools to support enforcement efforts so that our team does not inadvertently release goods due to incorrect declarations,” she added.
Siti also mentioned the department’s focus on filling enforcement positions to ensure they have sufficient manpower to tackle smuggling comprehensively.
“In terms of staffing, we are ensuring positions are filled so we can carry out operations with sufficient strength to tackle all smuggling activities,” Siti said.
These updates were shared after Siti paid a courtesy call on Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his consort, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni, at Istana Seri Kinabalu.
Revenue Targets Surpassed
Beyond enforcement, the Sabah Zone Customs has already achieved its revenue collection targets for 2024, with projections for even higher returns in the remaining months of the year.
Siti attributed this success to the department’s stringent enforcement measures and efficient collection processes.
