Latest news with #Customs
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
English to appear above te reo Māori in New Zealand passport redesign
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii New Zealand's passport is being redesigned to ensure the English words sit above the te reo Māori text. The current passport, which came into effect in 2021, has "Uruwhenua Aotearoa" above the words "New Zealand Passport". The Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the move reflected the government's commitment to using English first. Changes to the New Zealand passport will be rolled out in 2027. (File photo) Photo: Customs / supplied The redesign would be unveiled later this year, van Velden said, and was being dones as part of a scheduled upgrade so there was no additional cost. The new look passports would start being issued once the existing booklets are used up - which was not expected until 2027. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Star
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
MyCieds to seal customs leaks, boost integrity
Towards improved transparency: Anis Rizana (centre) launching MyCieds for the southern region in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star JOHOR BARU: The paperless Malaysian Customs Import Export Document System (MyCieds) is expected to curb leakages and enhance transparency in Customs operations. Customs Department deputy director-general Norlela Ismail said the digital system would also help strengthen integrity among officers and agents. 'When applications are submitted physically, agents may prefer dealing with specific officers and vice versa. 'With MyCieds, the documents are submitted digitally so the process will be more transparent. Regardless of whether it is Company A, B, C or D, the officer handling the system must process the applications uniformly,' she said at the launch of MyCieds for the southern region yesterday. She said the system, already implemented at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Selangor and Penang, had received positive feedback. Companies and agents in the southern region of Johor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan can now register to use it. MyCieds functions as an intermediary platform for delivering supporting documents between Customs officers and companies or delivery agents for each Borang Kastam declared through the Sistem Maklumat Kastam. Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainuddin, who officiated the launch, said the system was rolled out in January this year. 'So far, more than 1,350 companies and delivery agents nationwide involved in imports and export activities have signed up for MyCieds. 'With the paperless system, we hope to speed up the documentation process and curb tax revenue leakages,' she said. Anis Rizana added that MyCieds aligns with the national agenda to improve cross-border trade governance and boost Malaysia's global competitiveness. 'This supports the Madani Economy framework by improving the efficiency of government service delivery to the people and industry players,' she said. Anis Rizana urged full compliance with the system at all levels, and called on Customs officers to support delivery agents with clear technical guidance, regular monitoring, and audits. 'Strict action must be taken against those who fail to comply with the regulations,' she said, also reminding agents to ensure documents uploaded are complete, valid and submitted on time. 'This system should be seen as a tool to improve operational efficiency, not a burden, as it expedites processes and reduces the risk of delays in Customs clearance.' Anis Rizana also called on stronger collaboration among all technical and enforcement agencies, including port and airport authorities as well as border enforcement bodies, to ensure the system's successful implementation.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Customs Dept's new digital system to end practice of 'picking officers' to process documents
JOHOR BARU: The Customs Department has rolled out a fully digital import and export documentation system designed to eliminate revenue leakages, fast-track clearance, and end discretion by personnel in processing trade documents. The Malaysian Customs Import/ Export Document System (MyCIEDS) platform allows forwarding agents and importers to submit supporting documents online via any internet-enabled device — a shift from the previously manual, officer-specific process. Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said with MyCIEDS, logistics agents can no longer pick their preferred officers to process documents. "There is no more picking officers. The system assigns cases automatically. Officers must process whichever document appears on their screen," she said after the system's southern zone launch today. The new platform, developed by Edaran IT Services, integrates with the existing Customs Information System (SMK) and currently supports more than 1,350 registered companies involved in trade activities nationwide. The rollout began in stages from January. Among the system's key benefits are real-time transparency and submitted documents tracking, which allows Customs officers and forwarding agents to monitor the status instantly. The system also eliminates the need for physical visits or paperwork handovers, streamlining the process and reducing operational costs. With its automated and integrated features, the risk of human error and potential fraud is significantly reduced. Additionally, goods can be released faster, as the digital platform enables multiple officers to review documents simultaneously, speeding up clearance procedures, she said. Anis said MyCIEDS also fortifies Customs' gatekeeping role by standardising document review and removing discretion, thereby plugging a common loophole that allowed manipulation or selective processing. The system, she said, is also able to stop agents' attempts to conceal under-declared goods or facilitate preferential treatment. She said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Madani framework, particularly its focus on governance and service delivery agility. "This is not just a technical upgrade. It's a leap forward in public service governance," she said. . The system also benefits Malaysia's standing in global trade indices and is expected to enhance cross-border efficiency, reduce compliance costs, and improve trust in enforcement. Customs officers have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the new process and provide technical guidance to agents. Strict audits and enforcement action await non-compliant parties. "This is not a burden. It's a catalyst for efficiency," said Anis, urging both Customs staff and stakeholders to fully embrace the system. MyCIEDS is backed by the Technology Depository Agency (TDA) under the Finance Ministry through its Industry Collaboration Programme (ICP), marking a successful public-private synergy in digital reform.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
UAE: Authorities deporting, blacklisting thousands who failed to act during 2024 visa amnesty window
Over 32,000 visa violators were caught in early 2025, 70% deported, as UAE enforces penalties post-2024 amnesty deadline/ Representative Image TL;DR The UAE's 2024 visa amnesty ran from September 1 to December 31, offering legalisation or penalty-free exit. Despite a 2-month extension, many overstayers did not act and now face deportation and bans. Over 32,000 people were apprehended in 2025 for residency violations; 70% have been deported. Authorities have resumed full fines and are cracking down on illegal residents and employers. As the UAE steps up enforcement of its residency laws in 2025, authorities are now detaining and deporting thousands of individuals who failed to take advantage of last year's visa amnesty programme. Despite a generous four-month window and widespread support efforts, many undocumented residents remained in the country beyond the deadline, and are now facing serious legal and financial consequences. The 2024 Amnesty: A Missed Opportunity for Many From September 1 to December 31, 2024, the UAE implemented a nationwide visa amnesty, its fourth such programme since 2007. Previous amnesty programmes were held in 2007, 2012, and 2018. Administered by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), the scheme gave undocumented residents and visa violators the chance to regularise their status or exit the country without facing penalties such as fines or bans on re-entry. Originally scheduled to end on October 31, the initiative was extended by two months due to high demand. The programme ultimately spanned four months, during which: Thousands of residents regularised their visas or returned to their home countries without penalty. Numerous fines were waived for those who complied within the amnesty window. Discounted airfares were made available through airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia for individuals facing financial hardship. Community support played a vital role, with philanthropists helping stranded tourists and overstayers afford return tickets. The Indian Consulate in Dubai issued over 2,000 emergency certificates and more than 2,400 exit permits to assist Indian nationals with repatriation. The amnesty also provided flexibility by allowing violators to either find legal employment and adjust their residency status or voluntarily leave the UAE without triggering a re-entry ban. Officials emphasised that this was a one-time opportunity to "reset" their legal status. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 2025: Enforcement Tightens, Consequences Mount However, despite the extensive provisions and publicity, many individuals failed to take action. According to a Khaleej Times report, widespread misinformation, denial, and misplaced hope that another amnesty would follow led to inaction among a significant portion of visa violators. The consequences of missing the amnesty deadline have been swift and far-reaching: From January to June 2025, over 32,000 individuals were apprehended for residency violations. Approximately 70% have already been deported, with the remainder facing legal procedures, including fines, court proceedings, and eventual deportation. Inspections and enforcement drives have intensified across the country, targeting not only undocumented individuals but also employers who hire them. Those caught now face blacklisting, making them ineligible to return to the UAE in the future. Officials have reiterated that while voluntary departure may still allow for fine reductions or avoidance of bans, those apprehended during raids will face full legal consequences. Social Fallout and Public Risks Community leaders and experts have raised alarms about the broader societal impact of continued illegal residency. According to the report, one growing concern is the number of undocumented domestic workers operating within homes without legal sponsorship or background checks. Social workers report that these arrangements have created unsafe conditions for both workers and households: Cases of theft and abuse often go unreported due to the absence of formal employment records. Residents who hire undocumented workers are unable to seek legal recourse in disputes, as they often have no information about the individual's true identity or legal status. Community advocates are urging the public to use licensed maid agencies and avoid hiring workers 'off the books.' End of Leniency, Return of Penalties With the 2024 amnesty now closed, the UAE has reinstated its full schedule of residency fines and penalties. Officials have made it clear that the amnesty was a time-limited opportunity with no immediate plans for a repeat. The country's enforcement agencies have stated their intention to uphold immigration laws strictly and penalise both individuals and entities that violate them. Though the government provided multiple avenues for compliance, including grace periods and both digital and in-person processing, many residents still failed to act in time. As immigration experts have noted, the consequences for overstaying are now fully in effect. FAQs: Q. What was the UAE visa amnesty 2024? It was a government initiative allowing undocumented residents to either regularise their visa status or leave the UAE without fines or bans. Q. When did the amnesty take place? The programme ran from September 1 to December 31, 2024, after a 2-month extension. Q. What happens to people who overstayed after the deadline? They face detention, fines, deportation, and possible blacklisting from re-entering the UAE. Q. Can overstayers still leave the UAE now? Yes, but they may face full penalties unless they voluntarily report and qualify for any remaining leniency on a case-by-case basis.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Paperless MyCIEDS now available in southern region, says Customs deputy DG
JOHOR BARU: The paperless Malaysian Customs Import Export Document System (MyCIEDS) is expected to tackle leakages and provide for a more transparent process. Customs deputy director-general Norlela Ismail said the paperless system could also help to strengthen integrity among Customs officers and agents. 'When the applications are done physically, agents may choose to go to their 'preferred' officers and vice versa. 'With MyCIEDS, the documents are submitted digitally so the process will be more transparent - it does not matter whether it is Company A, B, C or D, the officer handling the system must process the applications,' she told the media when met after the launch of MyCIEDS for the southern region here on Thursday (July 24). Norlela added that the system received positive feedback since it was implemented at KL International Airport, Selangor and Penang. She said companies and agents in the southern region, which covers Johor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan, can now register for the sytem. Meanwhile, Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainuddin, who officiated at the event, said the system came into effect in January this year. 'So far, more than 1,350 companies and delivery agents nationwide involved in imports and exports have signed up for MyCIEDS. 'With the paperless system, we hope to speed up the documentation process and curb the country's tax revenue leakages,' she said. MyCIEDS functions as an intermediary facilitator for the delivery of supporting documents between Customs officers and companies or delivery agent for each Borang Kastam that has been declared through the Sistem Maklumat Kastam. Anis Rizana added that the web-based system is accessible anywhere with a mobile device.
