RM1.3m firecrackers seized
Published on: Friday, June 24, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The Customs Department is going all out to eradicate prohibited items such as firecrackers and fireworks from entering the country ahead of the coming festive season. Its Director-General Datuk Sri Khazali Ahmad on Wednesday said the department has confiscated 11 tonnes of firecrackers and fireworks which amounted to RM1.3 million since they started the operation two months ago. "We have stepped up our enforcement duties especially in conjunction with the coming festive season and our focus is to prevent prohibited items such as firecrackers, fireworks and perhaps firearms among others, from being smuggled into the country," he said.
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He said this when met during the State Customs Department breaking-of-fast ceremony attended by the Head of State's wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M.Jasni and State Customs Director Datuk Dr Janathan Kandok, among others."To date, we have seized about 11 tons of firecrackers from numerous sources, which shows that this is a trend that we should curb. "We do not want the people to be exposed to danger, both to themselves as well as in the sense of fire that could be caused by these prohibited goods. "Imagine what will happen if we do not enforce the law, perhaps many more tons of firecrackers and fireworks will be smuggled into the country," he said.
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He said this was all the more reason why smuggling activities should be prevented, especially those involving prohibited items such as firecrackers and fireworks. "This is not easy, our borderline is very long but we hope the people would cooperate by channelling information to us and to assist us in ensuring security in the country," he said.
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In conjunction with the coming festive season, he also reminded the people not to waste money buying firecrackers as it could not only cause injury but also major fires. "All the firecrackers and fireworks which have been seized are designed in a sophisticated manner and it could cause dire consequences to those handling it without the necessary skills. "Thus I urge the people, do not let this festive season be filled with tears, instead we should let it be filled with cheer and laughter, if everyone cooperate then everything would be safe," he said. On the estimated RM2 billion worth of contraband smuggled into the country through the Malaysian – Thailand border each year, Khazali said there is no absolute figure in terms of smuggling. "The figure is normally only estimated and we take that figure as a benchmark for us to conduct enforcement duties," he explained. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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