The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Labuan has seized 55 vehicles valued at RM7.12 million, including taxes, following a series of enforcement operations carried out across Sabah and Sarawak from January to December 29 this year.
Labuan Customs director Aspaila Ag Tuah said the seizures were the result of operations targeting vehicle owners who breached conditions under Item 14 of the Customs Duties (Exemption) Order 2017.
“Throughout these operations, 55 cases were recorded, with the total value of the seized vehicles, including tax, amounting to RM7,117,025.23,” she said at a press conference today.
Under Item 14, vehicles purchased in duty-free islands such as Langkawi and Labuan are allowed to enter the Principal Customs Area for a maximum of 90 days within a calendar year.
“Investigations revealed that the vehicles were brought into the Principal Customs Area using exemption facilities but were not returned to the duty-free islands after the permitted period,” Aspaila said.
She added that all seized vehicles are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. The vehicles included luxury models such as Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi Q7, and Mini Cooper.
Other vehicles seized included Toyota Fortuner, Honda, Subaru, Toyota Avanza, Toyota Unser, Toyota Vios, Hyundai Tucson, Chevrolet, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi ASX, Perodua, and Mazda Skyactiv models.
Aspaila also urged the public to assist JKDM in combating smuggling activities involving items such as cigarettes, liquor, fireworks, drugs, and vehicles.
“Smuggling causes revenue losses for the country and poses risks to national security and public safety,” she said.
She encouraged members of the public to report smuggling activities via the Customs toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or at the nearest Customs office, assuring that all informants’ identities would be kept confidential.
