Thursday, 10 July 2025

Strong border teamwork vital to curb subsidy misuse

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Dr Fuziah speaking to reporters after her visits to Tebedu ICQS, a wholesale warehouse and a petrol station in Tebedu.

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TEBEDU: Close cooperation among enforcement agencies is crucial to curb the smuggling and misappropriation of subsidised goods, particularly along Malaysia’s porous border areas.

In this respect Deputy Minister for Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Senator Dr Fuziah Salleh commended the joint efforts of multiple agencies including the General Operations Force (GOF), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Immigration Department, and Customs Department, which have been actively involved in ‘Op Tiris 3.0’ since its launch last year.

“I am satisfied with the level of cooperation shown by all enforcement agencies involved at the borders. They all play their part and work together.

“Under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, they are empowered to conduct seizures, but these cases are then handed over to our ministry for investigation and further action,” she said to reporters yesterday (June 23).

Dr Fuziah, accompanied by KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin, visited the Tebedu Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complex to observe ‘Op Tiris 3.0’ operations.

She also visited a wholesale warehouse and a petrol station near the border to assess control measures in place.

She revealed that from Jan 1 to June 20 this year, RM1.18 million worth of controlled goods were seized in Sarawak alone as a result of joint operations under Ops Tiris.

Last year, the state recorded RM8 million in similar seizures.

“The confiscated items included diesel, coarse granulated sugar, cooking oil, petrol and onions — products commonly targeted for smuggling due to subsidies,” she said.

While noting positive outcome from operations, she acknowledged that enforcing laws along the border remains a major challenge due to difficult terrain, including rivers, jungles, and oil palm estates, along with numerous unofficial routes used by smugglers.

“It is impossible to monitor every inch of the over 1,000-kilometre border, or to install fencing throughout.

“That is why strong inter-agency cooperation, along with public tip-offs, are vital for our enforcement success,” she said.

Dr Fuziah said that the ministry has also tightened monitoring through zoning policies for cooking oil distribution and the implementation of the eCoss tracking system.

“With the zoning in place, repackers can only supply to specific wholesalers based on defined zones. This makes it easier for us to monitor and prevent misappropriation activities,” she said.

She pointed out that accurate data now enables the ministry to better track supply flow and enforce regulations more effectively.

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