Latest news with #Maqis
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tighter enforcement to curb illegal pork trade
PETALING JAYA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has stepped up enforcement to curb pork smuggling, with more than 750 tonnes worth RM3.05 million seized since last year. Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that from last year to July this year the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) detected 24 smuggling attempts involving 640 tonnes of pork. The Veterinary Services Department also recorded 18 seizures of unapproved carcasses and suspected contraband pork amounting to 114 tonnes, he added. 'Enforcement is carried out in collaboration with the Border Control and Protection Agency, Customs Department, the police and Armed Forces. Offenders face stern action under the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) and the Animals Act 1953 (Act 647), including heavy fines and prosecution.' Kurup acknowledged that the industry was under severe strain, noting the national pig population had dropped from 1.86 million in 2020–2021 to 1.24 million last year due to African swine fever and rising feed costs. To stabilise supply, he said the government had facilitated the import of 1,600 live pigs from Sarawak into Peninsular Malaysia through Port Klang. Long-term measures include modern pig farming through designated pig farming areas with higher biosecurity standards, such as a RM26 million project in Tongod, Sabah. He added that the ministry has been engaging farmers, abattoirs and importers through continuous consultations to address production challenges and strengthen disease control. Malaysia's current self-sufficiency level for pork stands at 67.8% between 2020 and 2024. Kurup said stricter guidelines would be made compulsory for small farms, requiring them to adopt modern closed-house systems. 'Increasing local output is critical, both to reduce reliance on imports and to shield the nation from foreign disease threats. Pork is a key protein source, especially for non-Muslim communities. Ensuring stable supply will also help ease pressure on other protein prices, including chicken, beef and fish.' Kurup was responding to a question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) regarding Maqis' enforcement actions on the importation and illegal smuggling of pork, particularly from Thailand and other countries with outbreaks of the Streptococcus suis and African swine fever, as well as the number of arrests made in relation to illegal pork smuggling activities at all national entry points this year. He said import control carried out by Maqis is through a document inspection mechanism, including the requirement for import permits and veterinary health certificates, as well as physical inspections of containers at the country's entry points. In addition, sampling of pork products is also conducted to ensure they are free of diseases before being allowed entry.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
640 tonnes of smuggled pork seized as govt steps up effort against African Swine Fever
KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is intensifying efforts to combat pork smuggling and strengthen domestic production in the face of Streptococcus suis and African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks. Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) have been taking firm measures, particularly against meat from countries with known outbreaks. "For the period from 2024 until July 2025, Maqis successfully detected several smuggling attempts with a total of 24 cases amounting to 640 metric tonnes. "The DVS also carried out 18 seizures of pig carcasses moved without authorisation, confiscating 114 metric tonnes in several states worth RM3.05 million," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today. Arthur was responding to a question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) on Maqis' actions regarding pork imports and smuggling from abroad, especially from Thailand and other countries with outbreaks of Streptococcus suis and ASF. He said any illegal entry of pork would be met with action under the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011, which includes heavy fines and prosecution, while the Animals Act 1953 empowers the DVS to take further enforcement. Arthur said the ministry will continue strengthening enforcement, expanding cooperation with neighbouring countries, and running public awareness campaigns to protect public health and the livestock sector. On pork prices, he said the government is concerned about the impact of ASF and rising feed costs, which have reduced livestock numbers from 1.86 million in 2021 to just 1.24 million last year. Arthur clarified that Malaysia's self-sufficiency level for pork stood at 67.8 per cent in 2024. "To bring prices down and ensure a stable supply, the DVS has facilitated the export of live pigs from Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia. "So far, 1,600 pigs have safely arrived at Port Klang for slaughter," he said, adding that numbers are expected to rise in the coming months. He said continuous engagement is being carried out with farmers and importers to manage challenges in farming and disease control effectively. For the long term, the ministry is promoting modern pig farming and designated farming areas, including a new RM26 million facility in Tongod, Sabah, which will introduce integrated farming systems, tighter biosecurity, and sustainable waste control. He said that regulations would be tightened further through guidelines on closed and compartmentalised modern pig farming, which will eventually be mandatory for farms renewing their licences.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Govt importing live pigs from Sarawak to stabilise supply, Dewan Rakyat hears
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has started importing live pigs from Sarawak as part of its intervention measures to stabilise supply and prices, with new applications from exporters also in the pipeline, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said a total of 1,600 live pigs have already arrived at Port Klang for slaughter, helping to offset reduced local output due to African swine fever (ASF). 'This number is expected to rise in the coming months as we continue to receive new applications,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Aug 18). Arthur said Malaysia's pig population had fallen sharply from 1.86 million in 2021 to 1.24 million last year, following ASF outbreaks and rising feed costs. For the long term, he said the government is pushing for modern pig farming practices and the establishment of pig farming areas (PFAs) in producing states, including a major project in Tongod, Sabah. 'The Tongod PFA, with an estimated cost of RM26mil for infrastructure, will ensure more integrated farming, higher biosecurity standards, better pollution control and sustainable practices,' he said. Arthur added that farms would soon be required to adopt closed-farming and compartmentalisation methods as part of mandatory licence renewals, aimed at reducing reliance on imports while strengthening Malaysia's disease-control capacity. Malaysia's pork self-sufficiency level (SSL) stood at 67.8% in 2024, he said, stressing that adequate supply of pork also helped stabilise the prices of other proteins such as chicken, beef and fish. On enforcement, Arthur said the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) detected 24 cases of illegal pork smuggling between 2024 and July 2025, involving 640 metric tonnes of meat. During the same period, he said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) carried out 18 seizures of frozen carcasses and unauthorised transfers, amounting to 114 metric tonnes worth RM3.05mil across several states including Kelantan, Selangor, Johor, Kedah, Penang, Melaka and Labuan. 'Any illegal entry of pork will be dealt with firmly under the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) and the Animals Act 1953 (Act 647). 'This includes heavy fines and court action against offenders,' Arthur said. He said the ministry will continue to tighten enforcement, strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries, and raise public awareness to combat risks from illegal meat imports, which could endanger public health and the livestock industry.
Malay Mail
08-07-2025
- Malay Mail
New border agency chief vows zero tolerance for smuggling, eyes upgrade to entry point facilities
SEPANG, July 8 — The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) may introduce stricter recruitment and termination procedures if any of its officers are found to be involved in smuggling activities. AKPS newly appointed director-general, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, said his first challenge is to build a healthy and properly functioning organisation. 'I emphasised the importance of upholding a culture of integrity. When we consolidate multiple responsibilities, it naturally leads to broader powers and with that increased power, a person becomes more exposed to unhealthy temptations and opportunities. 'I have been very frank about this with all the officers earlier. Personally, I will not compromise on this,' he told reporters after his first visit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 following his appointment last week. 'I may propose more stringent procedures for recruitment and termination if anyone is found to be involved in smuggling activities,' he added. As part of his phase one plan, Mohd Shuhaily said he intends to upgrade the agency's facilities to meet international standards. 'We have been entrusted with 22 entry points in the first phase, and that is why we are here on the ground, to truly assess how we can empower our officers, not just in terms of SOPs, but also the facilities, as you saw earlier. 'These are the facilities that the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) has, which are shared with Perhilitan, for an international entry point of this scale. 'I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that these facilities reflect the level of international standards and image that the government aims to project,' he said. Dressed in an all-dark olive green outfit and navy blue shoes, Mohd Shuhaily walked around with his entourage, spending about an hour at the security checkpoints in KLIA Terminal 1, including the immigration counters. He was seen speaking with AKPS officers on duty about operations and facilities. Mohd Shuhaily was appointed as AKPS director-general for a two-year term, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. He previously served as Police Attaché in Washington, United States, from 2010 to 2013 and was appointed Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Bukit Aman on August 15, 2023.
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang authorities to raid places selling fake Balik Pulau durians
Penang agriculture executive councillor Fahmi Zainol said most legitimate durian farmers had adopted the government's 'track and trace' system to boost transparency and consumer confidence. KEPALA BATAS : The authorities in Penang have identified several places where imported durians, particularly from Thailand, are being falsely marketed as the famed Balik Pulau variety. State agriculture executive councillor Fahmi Zainol said joint operations involving the police, agriculture department and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) would be launched soon to curb such fraudulent practices. 'We've identified two or three hotspots where durians are brought in by truck from Thailand but sold as local produce. 'We're just waiting for the right time to conduct the raids and issue compounds,' he told reporters at the Bumbong Lima Agricultural Training Institute today. He said this followed public complaints and ongoing monitoring by authorities. A roadblock has been set up at the Juru toll plaza by the Malaysian quarantine and inspection services department (Maqis) and other agencies to detect non-compliant agricultural products, especially durians. While durians from other regions are not banned, Fahmi said sellers must not misrepresent them as Balik Pulau durians. 'We now have a 'track and trace' system in place since June 1. Every durian is tagged with a QR code that lets consumers verify its origin, from farm to table,' he said. He urged the public to report suspicious sellers, adding that most legitimate durian farmers in Penang had adopted the tracking system to boost transparency and consumer confidence.
