KUALA LUMPUR: The Customs Department collected RM30.16 billion in revenue in the first six months of this year.
In an interview with Harian Metro, Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainuddin said this exceeded its target of RM26.5 billion.
For 2024, the department aims to collect RM56 billion in revenue.
Anis said that upon taking office last year, she was intent on ensuring that the department met its RM53.5 billion revenue target for 2023.
"The department achieved notable success in 2023 by collecting RM55.1 billion in revenue, surpassing the target of RM53.5 billion, an excess of RM1.6 billion or three per cent.
"As a crucial agency for indirect tax collection, the Customs Department plays a key role in maintaining the country's fiscal balance."
Anis said apart from the department's revenue responsibilities, it also had a duty to facilitate trade and ensure national security.
The challenge she said, was striking a balance between trade and security without disrupting global supply chains.
"The department must ensure that cross-border trade is processed efficiently without compromising border security.
"To meet these demands, we need to effectively manage the growing volume of cross-border and online trade, a global trend."
She said several measures have been put in place during her tenure to improve the department's operations and efficiency.
This includes strengthening the department's organisational structure by ensuring all departments within the agency have the necessary expertise.
She also cited the scanning of all export containers from Nov 30, last year
The measure aims to more effectively reduce revenue leakage of high-impact items.
"This began at Port Klang in response to the seizure of 622kg of drugs by Australian authorities on Oct 12, 2023, which were smuggled through sea cargo from Malaysia.
"This strategy will help prevent revenue leakage at an early stage, ensuring that duties and taxes are collected accurately and that government revenue is received on time.