The Customs Department has strengthened its enforcement significantly since late 2023, implementing some of its strictest measures to date. These include 100 per cent container scanning, the use of AI-powered inspection systems, and mandatory pre-declarations — reforms introduced after two major drug-smuggling incidents at Port Klang that year.
Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin clarified that the prime minister’s recent remarks referred to events from two years ago, before she took over the department. At the time, she was serving as the Treasury deputy secretary-general (investment) at the Finance Ministry and only assumed her Customs role at the end of September 2023.
She said the two major cases involved the Australian Border Force’s seizure of 376kg of heroin on March 13, 2023, and 662kg of methamphetamine on Oct 4, 2023. In response, Customs implemented full scanning of all imports and exports beginning Nov 15, 2023.
“Based on checks with the World Customs Organization, Malaysia is the only country enforcing 100 per cent export scanning,” she said. “I visited New Zealand, Australia and Singapore — none of them conduct full scanning at their ports.”
Anis added that Customs’ jurisdiction extends only 12 nautical miles out to sea, beyond which enforcement falls under other agencies such as the police or the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Her decision to enforce full scanning faced pushback. “I received many criticisms, objections and challenges. Industry players and politicians called me crazy for implementing 100 per cent scanning. But I stood firm,” she said.
The department later upgraded its scanning systems with advanced AI features, including dual-view and dual-energy capabilities.
Other major reforms include mandatory pre-declarations (Customs Form 2), requiring exporters to submit documents before scanning. Previously, containers waited three to four days before being scanned.
Customs also introduced job rotations for officers operating scanners, in line with the Public Services Department’s requirement for at least 50 per cent rotation.
In September 2023, the department launched the Import Export Support Document System, which digitises import-export supporting documents and reduces physical contact. The system was enhanced in January this year with improved auditing features and future integration capabilities.
Anis said procurement is underway for new scanners, with four to be installed in Port Klang, two in Penang and one in Johor as part of the department’s ongoing upgrades.
