Latest news with #PlantQuarantineAct1976
The Star
20-05-2025
- The Star
GOF cracks down on ornamental plant smuggling in Kelantan border districts
KOTA BARU: Batalion 8 of the General Operations Force (GOF), Tenggara Brigade, seized a large quantity of decorative plants suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand after intercepting a suspicious lorry in Kampung Ana, Tumpat, last Sunday. In a statement on Tuesday (May 20), Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the operation, under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan, led to the discovery of 115 blackwood bonsai trees, 3,000 jasmine plants, 5,000 Papan plants, and 3,000 Jina plants believed to have been brought in illegally. The 42-year-old driver was allegedly transporting the plants, estimated at RM2.42mil, to a nursery in Perak. The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). In a separate incident in Jeram Perdah, Pasir Mas, Nik Ros Azhan said another suspicious lorry was detained in front of Pos Pok Teh Kana around 7.30pm the same day. He said a search of the vehicle uncovered 15,000 green bamboo plants and 30 casuarina trees believed to have been smuggled from Thailand for delivery to a nursery in Johor. The estimated value of this seizure, including the lorry, is RM1.02mil. Nik Ros Azhan emphasised that it will carry out sustained, intensive enforcement along the border to curb rampant smuggling of plants and other goods. - Bernama
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
GOF cracks down on plant smuggling at Kelantan border
KOTA BHARU: Batalion 8 of the General Operations Force (GOF), Tenggara Brigade, seized a large quantity of decorative plants suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand after intercepting a suspicious lorry in Kampung Ana, Tumpat, last Sunday. In a statement today, Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the operation, under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan, led to the discovery of 115 blackwood bonsai trees, 3,000 jasmine plants, 5,000 Papan plants, and 3,000 Jina plants believed to have been brought in illegally. The 42-year-old driver was allegedly transporting the plants, estimated at RM2.42 million, to a nursery in Perak. The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). In a separate incident in Jeram Perdah, Pasir Mas, Nik Ros Azhan said another suspicious lorry was detained in front of Pos Pok Teh Kana around 7.30 pm the same day. He said a search of the vehicle uncovered 15,000 green bamboo plants and 30 casuarina trees believed to have been smuggled from Thailand for delivery to a nursery in Johor. The estimated value of this seizure, including the lorry, is RM1.02 million. Nik Ros Azhan emphasised that it will carry out sustained, intensive enforcement along the border to curb rampant smuggling of plants and other goods.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
GOF cracks down on ornamental plant smuggling in Kelantan border districts
KOTA BHARU: Batalion 8 of the General Operations Force (GOF), Tenggara Brigade, seized a large quantity of decorative plants suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand after intercepting a suspicious lorry in Kampung Ana, Tumpat, last Sunday. In a statement today, Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the operation, under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan, led to the discovery of 115 blackwood bonsai trees, 3,000 jasmine plants, 5,000 Papan plants, and 3,000 Jina plants believed to have been brought in illegally. The 42-year-old driver was allegedly transporting the plants, estimated at RM2.42 million, to a nursery in Perak. The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). In a separate incident in Jeram Perdah, Pasir Mas, Nik Ros Azhan said another suspicious lorry was detained in front of Pos Pok Teh Kana around 7.30 pm the same day. He said a search of the vehicle uncovered 15,000 green bamboo plants and 30 casuarina trees believed to have been smuggled from Thailand for delivery to a nursery in Johor. The estimated value of this seizure, including the lorry, is RM1.02 million. Nik Ros Azhan emphasised that it will carry out sustained, intensive enforcement along the border to curb rampant smuggling of plants and other goods.
Barnama
16-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
Padi Farmers Reminded Not To Use Unregistered Seeds
PUTRAJAYA, May 16 (Bernama) -- Padi farmers in the country are reminded not to use illegal seeds or those not registered under the Padi Seedling Verification Scheme (SPBP). Agriculture Director-General Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said the use of illegal or illegally imported padi seeds was strictly prohibited and constituted an offence under the Control of Paddy and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522), the Plant Quarantine Act 1976, and the Plant Quarantine Regulations 1981. 'Under this act, illegally imported padi seeds may be confiscated and any rice crops grown from them can be destroyed if they fail to comply with any provisions of the act,' she said in a statement today. Nor Sam said the SPBP involved a stringent control process, beginning with seeds and foundation seeds produced by breeders, through registered and certified padi seeds produced by authorised producers, prior to distribution to farmers. She said the process under the scheme was implemented by the Agriculture Department to certify the genetic purity and identity of seed varieties, as well as the quality of seeds produced by authorised producers. Nor Sam said the use of unregistered padi seed varieties such as 'Chinese Hybrid', 'Indonesian Hybrid', '85-Day Padi', and 'Taiwan Padi', which were frequently sold and planted without official control, was worrying. She said the unregistered varieties had not undergone verification for genetic purity, disease resistance, or suitability to the local climate. Nor Sam said the lack of scientific verification could expose crops to greater risks from fungal, bacterial and insect infestations, particularly during unpredictable weather conditions. 'The main risk is that when these illegal varieties are not disease-free, they can become a source of infection that spreads to nearby padi fields, threatening overall production. This could result in lower yields and lead to a shortage in the country's rice supply,' she said.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Smuggled ornamental plants worth RM2.6mil seized in Rantau Panjang
RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized more than 8,000 ornamental plants worth RM2.6 million, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand, in Kampung Gual Tinggi on Monday. The Ninth Battalion made the seizure after intercepting a lorry when its driver was seen acting suspiciously at around 12.10am. Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said a 26-year-old man, who was driving the lorry, was also arrested during the operation. "The enforcement team found 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia saplings in the vehicle. "The plants are suspected to be infested with pests and diseases. "The estimated value of the seizure is RM2.64 million, including the lorry. :The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976. "The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action," he said.
