The Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s (JKDM) unprecedented efforts to fight corruption amongst its ranks will play a critical role in improving the department's performance while safeguarding Malaysia’s socio-economic well-being, says Advokasi Perusahaan dan Industri (API) today.

As an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding business and industry growth, API’s comments came on the back of recent high-profile arrests of active custom’s officers made by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). A news report quoting the MACC also highlighted that the anti-graft agency had apprehended a total of 34 customs officers who were allegedly implicated in smuggling operations worth a staggering RM2 billion.   

Dato’ Fazli Nordin, Managing Director of API, said, "Many Malaysians would automatically assume that it would be an uphill task, if not entirely impossible, for our law enforcement agencies to tackle corruption aggressively and in such a short time period.”

“The ground-breaking efforts made by JKDM is a reflection of the Madani Government’s commitment to curtail corruption as well as the bravery and diligence of the JKDM’s Director General, Dato’ Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin,” Dato’ Fazli added.    

According to Dato’ Fazli, Dato’ Anis is truly walking-the-talk when she had pledged to rooting out corruption within the ranks when she was appointed to the position on 25 September 2023. “Within a short timeframe, she had carried out a series of transfers of non-compliant officers to enhance the integrity of her department," he said. 

API expects JKDM’s efforts to ‘clean house’ can, in the foreseeable future, curtail the rampant trafficking and smuggling activities that occur throughout the country. 

API highlighted that Malaysia had lost more than RM1.4 million in unpaid taxes to the smuggling of subsidised items such as rice, petrol, diesel, wheat flour and liquefied petroleum gas, based on the JKDM’s own data.   

API said that JKDM’s anti-corruption drive will also set a healthy precedence for other law enforcement agencies to follow suit. This would ultimately create a motivated, corruption-free law enforcement community who are single-minded in protecting Malaysia’s interest and people, the advocacy group added. 

In spite of the positive progress to tackle corruption, Dato Fazli warned that the road ahead for JKDM may be paved with challenges. "Naturally, the courageous initiatives undertaken by the Director General have ruffled some feathers, especially amongst corrupt officers and criminal syndicates," he said.  

“API has come across various unfounded allegations in social media aimed at discrediting the Director General. This should be a cause for concern as these attacks may discourage the majority of dedicated, honest and loyal law enforcement officers from carrying out their duties without fear or favour,” he explained.  

“We would like to appeal to the Madani Government, policymakers, relevant agencies as well as all Malaysians to recognise the positive start made by Dato’ Anis to date and provide her with the necessary support to enable her to discharge her duties effectively. We are still a long way from stopping smuggling and trafficking activities once and for all,” Dato’ Fazli concluded. 

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