PUTRAJAYA: A total of 3,012 smuggling attempts with a tax value amounting to RM303.9 million were successfully thwarted by the Customs Department from January to May this year.
Its Director-General, Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainuddin, said the smuggling attempts involved various goods and contraband such as drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and other commodities.
"Despite being tainted by some issues recently, Customs remains in high spirits, with our integrity intact and our commitment to fulfilling our responsibilities unwavering.
"While we continue to be challenged, we remain firm and strong; the more challenges we face, the stronger we become. In fact, from January to May, Customs successfully foiled 3,012 smuggling cases," she said during the launch of the Compliance Verification Audit (AVIP) here today.
Anis said various initiatives have been implemented by Customs as the country's border defence line to ensure the nation's revenue is not compromised.
Among them is the introduction of online transactions and the updating of information related to tax policies.
"Other initiatives include modernising customs clearance procedures using technology and innovations such as scanners equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes, reduce paperwork, and expedite cargo clearance.
"We are also developing new systems such as the customs system and the import-export support document system to facilitate trade clearance," she said.
She added that his department is also enhancing risk management, intelligence information sharing, and international cooperation to protect security and combat cross-border crimes.
Commenting on AVIP, Anis said it is a new audit strategy by Customs for the period from 2024 to 2026, focusing on engaging as many business entities as possible, especially those registered or licensed with Customs based on risk ratings.
She explained that the strategy aims to increase the compliance level of business entities and detect non-compliance at an early stage to reduce risks or errors.
"If not curbed early, it will have an impact on greater tax liabilities," she said.