Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Customs Department won kudos for being the pioneer in managing the Marine Customs Division, the first in the Royal Malaysia Customs Department. Its Deputy Director General (Prevention and Confiscation Branch) Sanusi Mohamad Sapian praised the department's Marine Division for being the most active in curbing trafficking activities.
He said based on records and revenue since 2011, the department managed to solve cases involving millions of ringgit, such as pangolin smuggling involving an estimated RM4 million, drug cases off Dinawan Island, firearms and contrabands, among others.
State Customs Director Datuk Dr. Janathan Kandok said the department would not rest on their laurels but strengthen its governance, particularly in the field of marine management.
He said this after attending a joint meeting with Customs officials from Putrajaya to discuss ways to solve issues related to the department held at the State Customs Department here.
According to Janathan, the department also hoped for a re-branding of the Marine Enforcement Division.
He said issues such as office structure, skills courses among Customs Marine personnel, security issues and asset maintenance such as boats have to be handled wisely so that the Customs Marine will emerge as a force to be reckoned with in national security, particularly off Sabah's coastline.
The department, he said, has taken several initiatives to strengthen its marine management such as adding more enforcement personnel at Mempakul and Menumbok.
Also present was State Customs (Enforcement and Compliance Division) Deputy Director Hamzah Sundang.
