Latest news with #Maqis
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Malay Mail
New border agency chief vows zero tolerance for smuggling, eyes upgrade to entry point facilities
SEPANG, July 8 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) may introduce stricter recruitment and termination procedures if any of its officers are found to be involved in smuggling activities. AKPS newly appointed director-general, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, said his first challenge is to build a healthy and properly functioning organisation. 'I emphasised the importance of upholding a culture of integrity. When we consolidate multiple responsibilities, it naturally leads to broader powers and with that increased power, a person becomes more exposed to unhealthy temptations and opportunities. 'I have been very frank about this with all the officers earlier. Personally, I will not compromise on this,' he told reporters after his first visit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 following his appointment last week. 'I may propose more stringent procedures for recruitment and termination if anyone is found to be involved in smuggling activities,' he added. As part of his phase one plan, Mohd Shuhaily said he intends to upgrade the agency's facilities to meet international standards. 'We have been entrusted with 22 entry points in the first phase, and that is why we are here on the ground, to truly assess how we can empower our officers, not just in terms of SOPs, but also the facilities, as you saw earlier. 'These are the facilities that the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) has, which are shared with Perhilitan, for an international entry point of this scale. 'I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that these facilities reflect the level of international standards and image that the government aims to project,' he said. Dressed in an all-dark olive green outfit and navy blue shoes, Mohd Shuhaily walked around with his entourage, spending about an hour at the security checkpoints in KLIA Terminal 1, including the immigration counters. He was seen speaking with AKPS officers on duty about operations and facilities. Mohd Shuhaily was appointed as AKPS director-general for a two-year term, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. He previously served as Police Attaché in Washington, United States, from 2010 to 2013 and was appointed Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Bukit Aman on August 15, 2023.
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang authorities to raid places selling fake Balik Pulau durians
Penang agriculture executive councillor Fahmi Zainol said most legitimate durian farmers had adopted the government's 'track and trace' system to boost transparency and consumer confidence. KEPALA BATAS : The authorities in Penang have identified several places where imported durians, particularly from Thailand, are being falsely marketed as the famed Balik Pulau variety. State agriculture executive councillor Fahmi Zainol said joint operations involving the police, agriculture department and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) would be launched soon to curb such fraudulent practices. 'We've identified two or three hotspots where durians are brought in by truck from Thailand but sold as local produce. 'We're just waiting for the right time to conduct the raids and issue compounds,' he told reporters at the Bumbong Lima Agricultural Training Institute today. He said this followed public complaints and ongoing monitoring by authorities. A roadblock has been set up at the Juru toll plaza by the Malaysian quarantine and inspection services department (Maqis) and other agencies to detect non-compliant agricultural products, especially durians. While durians from other regions are not banned, Fahmi said sellers must not misrepresent them as Balik Pulau durians. 'We now have a 'track and trace' system in place since June 1. Every durian is tagged with a QR code that lets consumers verify its origin, from farm to table,' he said. He urged the public to report suspicious sellers, adding that most legitimate durian farmers in Penang had adopted the tracking system to boost transparency and consumer confidence.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Authorities foil attempt to smuggle animal manure from Singapore at CIQ checkpoint
JOHOR BARU: Authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle 10 tonnes of animal manure at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint on Tuesday. In a joint operation, officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) and the Border Control Agency intercepted a truck at around 3.30pm, attempting to bring in 22 unregistered sacks of animal droppings from Singapore. Johor Maqis director Edie Putra Md Yusof said the cargo, weighing approximately 10,000kg and valued at around RM10,000, was discovered in the vehicle's cargo hold during a routine inspection at the import lane. "Further checks revealed that the waste was being transported without a valid Maqis import permit," Edie Putra said in a statement today. The truck and its 39-year-old driver have been detained for further investigation. Importing any form of agricultural product without a permit is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 [Act 728], punishable under Section 11(3) of the same Act. If convicted, the offender could face a fine not exceeding RM100,000, imprisonment for up to six years, or both. Edie Putra said Maqis will continue to uphold border biosecurity by ensuring that all plants, animals, carcasses, fish, soil, and agricultural products entering Malaysia are free from pests, diseases, and contaminants.
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
Maqis intercepts massive load of smuggled animal waste at Johor checkpoint
JOHOR BARU: Authorities have foiled a filthy smuggling attempt at the border involving 10 tonnes of animal excrement. The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) stopped the attempt after intercepting a Malaysian-registered lorry loaded with 22 sacks of what is believed to be chicken manure at the Sultan Iskandar Building checkpoint. Johor Maqis director Eddie Putra Md Yusof said the cargo, weighing 10,000kg and estimated to be worth RM10,000, was seized at around 3.30pm on Tuesday (May 13) during checks at the lorry import lane. "Further inspection revealed that no import permit had been issued for the shipment, which we believe to be chicken manure," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 15). The 39-year-old lorry driver was detained and later released after providing a statement to assist with investigations. Eddie Putra said importing any type of agricultural product without a valid Maqis permit is an offence under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728). Offenders face up to RM100,000 in fines, six years in jail, or both. "We will ensure that plants, animals, carcasses, fish, agricultural products, soil and microorganisms brought into Malaysia are free from the threats of pests, diseases and contaminants," said Eddie Putra.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
No Anthrax in Malaysia, but authorities heighten vigilance over Thai outbreak
ALOR STAR: Malaysia has tightened veterinary and biosecurity checks on live cattle imports from Thailand following an anthrax outbreak near the Thai-Laos border, ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha festivities. Anthrax is a rare but serious disease caused by bacteria, typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or the consumption of contaminated meat. It is not spread from person to person. Kedah Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director Dr Shaharul Akmar Talib said the outbreak occurred in Thailand's Mukdahan province, far from Malaysia, but precautionary measures have nonetheless been taken. "Surveillance has been stepped up at ICQS (Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security) complexes. States have been alerted to remain vigilant, and at the federal level, the department is coordinating with Thai authorities," he told the New Straits Times today. Shaharul assured that Malaysia has not recorded any anthrax cases for over 50 years. "The last case occurred in 1968. If any cases were to emerge, they would be quarantined immediately," he said. He said that Malaysia does not import raw meat from Thailand, but live cattle are brought in for slaughter. "These animals are quarantined at designated centres in Kedah, Perlis, and Kelantan. All imports are screened by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis), which issues permits and enforces biosecurity protocols. "Officers from Maqis and the department work jointly at entry points such as Bukit Kayu Hitam," he added. He said that no import ban has been imposed for now, but an inter-agency meeting is expected to take place soon to review the situation. Yesterday, it was reported that Thailand had confirmed two anthrax cases, including one death. The victim, a 53-year-old man from Mukdahan, is believed to have handled or consumed contaminated meat. Thai authorities are tracing over 600 people potentially exposed to the disease, including 36 individuals involved in livestock slaughtering. Keywords: News Malaysia Nst 1968 Veterinary Services Department Anthrax Thailand. No Case Malaysia News Live Cattle Related Articles ASEAN May 2, 2025 @ 4:30am Thailand reports first anthrax death, hundreds potentially exposed World Apr 8, 2025 @ 7:56am Anthrax kills 50 hippos in Congo's Virunga National Park Nation Mar 17, 2025 @ 12:09pm Crocodile sightings prompt heightened vigilance in Kota Kinabalu Crime & Courts Nov 3, 2024 @ 9:39am Thai authorities to charge 6 Malaysians in drug case
