Latest news with #EnforcementAgencyIntegrityCommission
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Customs to act against agents, importers flouting rules
PUTRAJAYA: The Customs Department will not hesitate to take firm action against customs agents or importers who violate regulations or fail to exercise due diligence and ethical conduct, said acting director-general Datuk Norlela Ismail. "The department will not hesitate to act against any customs agent or importer proven to have violated the law or failed to exercise due diligence and comply with the Customs Agent Code of Ethics," Norlela said in a statement today. She said such actions could include the suspension or cancellation of approvals and import licences, prosecution under the law, or blacklisting from dealing with the department, depending on the outcome of internal investigations. Norlela welcomed the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission's (EAIC) recommendations to strengthen governance, improve oversight, and ensure stricter compliance with Customs Standing Orders by customs agents and importers. Between January 2023 and May 2025, she said the department had suspended or revoked approvals for 898 firms due to non-compliance. "The significant increase in 2025, with 758 cancellations, is the result of a nationwide compliance audit by our Customs Agent Control Unit across Malaysia," she added. On import licences involving cigarettes, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages, a total of 21 were cancelled or suspended over the same period for breaches of licensing conditions. "All enforcement actions are conducted with due care and in accordance with legal provisions to ensure that the rights of legitimate licence holders are protected," Norlela said. The public is urged to report smuggling activities via the Customs toll-free line 1-800-88-8855. The department has assured that whistleblowers' identities will remain confidential. On Tuesday, the EAIC said it had identified weaknesses in the approval process for Customs Declaration Forms used to clear imported goods. The commission also found that some importers and customs agents had made declarations without adhering to the existing provisions under the Customs Standing Orders. As a result, the EAIC has recommended improvements to the Customs Department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with Customs Standing Orders by importers and customs agents.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
EAIC finds weakness in customs declaration process
PUTRAJAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has identified weaknesses in the approval process for Customs Declaration Forms used to clear imported goods. In a statement today, the EAIC said its investigation also found that some importers and customs agents had made declarations without adhering to the existing provisions under the Customs Standing Orders. "The EAIC received complaints against the Customs Department alleging failure to revoke the licences of importers and agents who violated the Customs Standing Orders. Investigations were conducted under subsection 27(4) of the EAIC Act 2009 (Act 700)," the statement read. As a result, the EAIC has recommended improvements to the Customs Department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with Customs Standing Orders by importers and customs agents. The commission also urged the department to take firm action against any party found to be in breach of these regulations. – BERNAMA
The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
JPJ officer fails to declare disposed assets in HRMIS
PUTRAJAYA: An investigation by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) found that there are Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers who failed to update and declare the disposal of assets in the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS). In a statement on Friday (May 30), EAIC said the investigation was conducted under section 27(4) of the EAIC Act 2009 [Act 700] following a complaint against the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Road Transport Department (JPJ KL) involving several vehicle registration numbers.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
EAIC, Forestry Dept and MYSA expand satellite tech use to boost forest monitoring
TEMERLOH: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) are committed to expanding the use of satellite and remote sensing technology for forest monitoring. EAIC secretary and chief executive officer Asliza Ali said the body held engagement sessions with MYSA to discuss the use of satellite and remote sensing and coordinated with the department for a more effective monitoring effort. "This initiative aims for a technology-based monitoring of 100 per cent of forest areas identified as high risk," she told reporters today. MYSA deputy director-general (Research and Development), Samsuddin Omar, was also present. Featured Videos Asliza said that the Forest Monitoring Remote Sensing Systems (FMRS Plus), which MYSA developed and has been utilising since 2012, can provide satellite images to identify activities occurring in forests across the country. "Through the systems, we can get data on forestry activities and identify hotspots likely to be encroached on. "An archive of satellite images is available from 2015 to the present," he said. Meanwhile, the director of the Forest Enforcement Division at the Forestry Department Abd Ramlizauyahhudin Mahli said that through the systems, they detected approximately 250 cases of encroachment last year and arrested the offenders. "Many encroachment cases have been successfully detected, with satellite imagery proving highly valuable in state-level enforcement efforts. "These images enable real-time remote monitoring with precise coordinates, allowing information to be relayed directly to field operations," he said. – Bernama
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
EAIC goes to the ground to gather inputs on conservation, management of HSK
TEMERLOH: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) took a proactive step by conducting a visit to the District Forest Office here to gather information on the conservation and management of Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) by the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department (JPSM). EAIC secretary and chief executive officer Asliza Ali said the visit, also aimed at strengthening enforcement efforts and governance in the country's forestry sector, was an initiative of the Focus Group (FG) led by the commission. She said it also followed a report on the findings of the Bertelsman Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI) 2024, which highlighted the issue of deforestation, weak environmental enforcement and the imbalance between economic development and environmental sustainability. 'Among the issues identified by BTI are weaknesses in the enforcement of forestry laws and the issue of illegal logging, logging license procedures and forestry management, which have resulted in soil erosion as well as flash floods. 'Therefore, from this visit, we can gather inputs from JPSM regarding the conservation and maintenance of HSK after forest product harvesting licenses have expired. We were also briefed on the use of satellite technology in detecting changes in the country's forests, as well as its function in proactively addressing forest issues,' she said. She said this at a press conference at the District Forestry Office here before entering the rehabilitated forest area for a visit. According to her, a total of 32 cases of illegal logging were recorded in Peninsular Malaysia involving an area of 100 hectares, with 368 arrests made last year. Meanwhile, Asliza said the visit also provided an opportunity for the EAIC Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Special Task Force to observe the HSK areas that had been maintained and replanted. 'In addition, we can also understand the current challenges facing the relevant agencies, especially in terms of enforcement, and assess the effectiveness of existing implementation as well as the level of support required by the JPSM in resolving the issue of illegal logging. 'Previously, their corruption index only looked at reports on the website, not going to the source. Now, we go to the source, and show the people what the real situation is,' she said, adding that this initiative was aimed at improving Malaysia's performance. She said Malaysia is targeting 25th place and above in the global CPI ranking by 2033.
