KUALA LUMPUR: The Customs Department's anti-corruption and enhanced enforcement have led to over 20 per cent increase in the number of illegal cigarettes seized and confiscated for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Malaysia Integrity and Governance Society (MIG) president Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar said illegal cigarette prevalence in Malaysia had seen an improvement from 56.4 per cent in January 2024 to 55.4 per cent in March 2024 based on Nielsen's illicit cigarette study.
Akhbar said when the current Customs director general Datuk Anis Rizana, was appointed on Sept 23 last year, she 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," he said in a statement.
According to Akhbar, the Customs director general is clearly taking the right steps to eradicate illegal trade, which has cost the government billions of ringgit annually in uncollected tax revenue.
He said 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.
"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.
In April, Prime Minister 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 cargo terminal and taking disciplinary action against them.
Recent news reports 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 Negri Sembilan, the Customs seized over RM600,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and liquor at a three storey bungalow which was rented by Bangladesh nationals.