Ops Tiris 4.0 Records 1,542 Cases, RM59.9 Mln In Seizures - Fuziah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- A total of 1,542 cases were recorded under Ops Tiris Bersepadu 4.0, involving seizures worth RM59.9 million and the arrest of 514 individuals, since the operation began on March 16 up to Oct 20 this year to combat leakages and smuggling.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said 125,690 inspections were conducted during the period under the multi-agency operation, which also covered enforcement activities along land and maritime borders.

“At the land borders, 357 cases were recorded, involving seizures worth RM10.77 million. At sea, 275 cases were recorded, with seizures valued at RM12.29 million,” she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan) on the number of cases, value of leakages, seizures and arrests under the operation, particularly in border areas, as well as weaknesses in enforcement and measures to address recurring smuggling activities.

On the causes of leakages, Fuziah said the previous blanket subsidy policy was among the weaknesses that had created opportunities for smuggling, as subsidised controlled goods in Malaysia were cheaper than market prices in neighbouring countries.

She said the shift to targeted subsidies through Budi MADANI RON95, Budi MADANI Diesel, the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS), the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS), and targeted subsidies for packet cooking oil, combined with integrated enforcement operations, could help curb leakages.

In reply to a supplementary question from Sh Mohmed Puzi on prosecutions and compounds, Fuziah said 23 cases had been brought to court as of Oct 20, while compounds had been issued in 248 cases.

She said total fines imposed amounted to RM290,000, while compounds totalled RM950,900, with the remaining cases still under investigation.

Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh) on measures to address the influx and oversupply of livestock and vegetables from abroad that affected local producers, Fuziah said smuggling along the borders remained a major challenge for enforcement agencies.

She said the geographical conditions in areas such as Sungai Golok in Kelantan, where the border is separated by only a narrow river, made continuous monitoring difficult.

“We have the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the marine police. However, patrolling around the clock is a major challenge,” she said, stressing that the public also had a responsibility not to engage in smuggling activities that had persisted for generations.

-- BERNAMA