Latest news with #RM431
The Sun
02-07-2025
- The Sun
Penang customs seize RM2.67m in smuggled cigarettes and liquor
BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Customs Department detained two men and crippled a smuggling syndicate, seizing various cigarettes as well as alcoholic beverages worth RM2.67 million in separate raids in the state recently. State Customs director Rohaizad Ali said in the first case, its enforcement officers detained two suspects after inspecting a lorry parked at a Bukit Mertajam residential area car park on May 6. 'We detained two men, in their 20s and 30s, who were found not far from the parked lorry. They were the driver and assistant of the vehicle. Further checks of the lorry uncovered white and kretek cigarettes suspected to be untaxed. 'The seized cigarettes amounted to 1.32 million sticks, valued at RM431,504, with total unpaid duties estimated at RM1.34 million. Investigations found that all the cigarettes were smuggled in from a neighbouring country to be distributed in northern states,' he said at a press conference here today. He said investigations revealed that the syndicate's modus operandi involved abandoning lorries loaded with smuggled cigarettes in public parking areas to evade detection by authorities. Rohaizad added that investigations are ongoing to trace the cigarette smuggling syndicate, which is believed to have an international network. Meanwhile, in a second case, the Customs team raided a house in a Butterworth residential area on May 9, seizing various alcoholic beverages valued at RM236,737.20, with total unpaid duties amounting to RM663,027.03. 'During the raid, the house was locked and unoccupied. Our team broke down the door and discovered a variety of alcoholic beverages, including 15,288 cans of beer and 13,820 bottles of liquor stored in the residence,' he said. He added that the homeowner claimed to have rented the property to an individual, and customs officers are tracking down the suspect involved in the case. Both cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Illicit cigarettes, liquor worth RM2.67mil seized in Penang
BUTTERWORTH: Penang Customs successfully dismantled two smuggling attempts involving illicit cigarettes and liquor, with the total value including duties and taxes exceeding RM2.67 million, in separate operations conducted in May. State Customs director Rohaizad Ali said the first seizure involved 1.32 million sticks of white cigarettes and kretek found in a parked lorry at a residential area in Bukit Mertajam on May 6. He said officers from the Enforcement Department's Operations Unit inspected the vehicle and discovered the cigarettes, believed to be untaxed, stored in its cargo hold. He said the lorry was abandoned with its keys inside, a suspected modus operandi to avoid detection by authorities. "The total value of the seized goods is estimated at RM431,504, with duties and taxes amounting to around RM1.35 million. "The cigarettes are believed to have been brought in from a neighbouring country," he told newsmen here today. Rohaizad said two men, a lorry driver and co-driver in their 20s and 30s, who were nearby at the time of the raid, were nabbed to assist in the investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which provides for a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM100,000, whichever is higher, and not more than 20 times the value or RM500,000, or imprisonment of between six months and five years, or both, upon conviction. In the second case on May 9, Customs officers raided a house in a residential neighbourhood here, where they seized a large quantity of liquor and beer believed to be untaxed. "The seizure involved 15,288 cans of beer and 13,820 bottles of liquor, with an estimated value of RM236,737.20, and total duties and taxes estimated at RM663,027.03," he added. The items are believed to have been temporarily stored at the premises before being distributed to the local market. The case is also being investigated under the same provision of the Customs Act 1967. Rohaizad stressed that both cigarettes and liquor are classified as prohibited import items under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, and firm action would continue to be taken against all parties involved.
The Star
02-07-2025
- The Star
Penang Customs raids yield RM2.67mil in ciggies, alcohol
BUTTERWORTH: Separate raids in Penang have foiled smuggling activities involving some RM2.67mil in cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department announces. The state Customs director Rohaizad Ali said in the first raid on May 6, enforcement officers conducted a check on a lorry that was parked at a housing area in Bukit Mertajam. "Inspection found 1,320,8000 sticks of kretek (clove cigarettes) and white cigarettes of various brands in the lorry's cargo compartment," he told a press conference at the Bagan Jermal enforcement storage facility on Wednesday (July 2). Rohaizad said the value of the seized contraband is worth RM431,504, with a duty amount of RM1,346,382.40. He said the lorry driver and co-driver aged in their 20s and 30s were arrested during the raid, adding that investigations found that the contraband items were smuggled in from a neighbouring country. Rohaizad said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a fine between RM100,000 and RM500,000, imprisonment of six months to five years, or both, upon conviction. In a second raid on May 9, customs enforcement officers raided an empty house in Butterworth, where they found various brands of alcoholic beverages. He said the contraband items that were seized are 15,288 cans of beer and 13,820 bottles of liquor. He said the seized item was worth about RM236,737.20, with unpaid duties amounting to RM663,027.03. "We have identified the owner of the house, who informed us that it had been rented out," he said. Rohaizad added that investigations are still ongoing, and efforts are underway to trace the individual who rented the property. He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which carries a fine between RM100,000 and RM500,000, imprisonment of six months to five years, or both, upon conviction. "Customs urges the public to help combat smuggling by providing information regarding any smuggling activities," he said.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Pelubang water plant upgrading ahead of schedule
ALOR STAR: Upgrading work at the Pelubang Water Treatment Plant (WTP) may be completed ahead of schedule, said contractor Bina Darul Aman Bhd (BDB). Its group executive director, Raja Shahreen Raja Othman, said the RM431 million project was 62.5 per cent complete, slightly ahead of the targeted 62.3 per cent, and might be completed ahead of the extension period that was granted. "Once operational, the facility is expected to improve access to treated water for residents in Kubang Pasu and Kota Setar. "If we factor this into days, it should be an estimated 43 days (ahead of schedule)," he said during a press conference in conjunction with the company's 30th annual grand meeting today. Raja Shahreen stated that timely delivery remained a priority but noted that the project faced several non-construction challenges. "In terms of timing, like it or not, this is something we have to meet, but for us to continue progressing smoothly, we need cooperation from other stakeholders as well. "This isn't just about digging the ground. There are issues involving land acquisition, permits and existing infrastructure such as roads and private properties," he said. Raja Shahreen said BDB was confident of delivering the project on time. "We are committed. We have the financial strength and technical capabilities, but we must also take these external factors into account," he added. The Pelubang WTP upgrading project aims to almost double the plant's capacity, from the current 247 million litres daily to 457 million litres once completed. Last year, the media reported that state Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, Water Resources and Environment Committee chairman Mohamad Yusuf @ Munir Zakaria said the Pelubang WTP had been granted an Extension of Time (EOT) until Dec 21, 2025, due to earlier technical issues. On whether BDB was open to rescuing other delayed water treatment plant projects in Kedah, Raja Shahreen said the company was ready to step in if needed. "We are prepared to assist with stalled projects. Financially, we are stable, and we possess the technical expertise to bring such projects back on track," he said. Meanwhile, Raja Shahreen said BDB recorded a pre-tax profit of RM4.51 million on revenue of RM294.7 million for 2024, compared to a RM14.47 million pre-tax profit from RM313.1 million revenue recorded in the previous year. "Despite the softer financial performance, the group remains optimistic about long-term growth prospects," he said.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Retired employee scammed of RM431,000 with fake investment promises
KULAI: A retired private sector employee became RM431,000 poorer after falling victim to a scam involving a non-existent investment scheme. Kulai district police chief Assistant Commissioner Tan Seng Lee said that, according to a report lodged by the 67-year-old victim yesterday, he was duped by the investment syndicate after being promised returns of between 20 and 30 per cent within three days. "The victim said he was told by the suspects that the profits would be credited into his investment application account. "The victim then made 32 payment transactions totalling RM431,000 into seven local bank accounts from March 17 to April 15. "After making the payments, the victim checked the application and found the profits had reached RM3 million," he said in a statement today. Tan added that when the victim tried to withdraw the profits, he was asked to make an additional investment of RM30,000. "The victim, who failed to withdraw his investment, began to suspect he was being scammed and reported the matter to the police," he said. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
