Latest news with #PlantQuarantineAct1976
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
GOF foils bid to smuggle 3,700 ornamental plants into country
Photos courtesy of General Operations Force via BERNAMA KOTA BARU: The 8th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) foiled an attempt to smuggle 3,700 ornamental plants after intercepting a lorry along Jalan Rantau Panjang Lama near Pos Pok Teh Kana in Pasir Mas on Friday (Aug 15). South-East Brigade GOF Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seized plants included 2,000 bamboo saplings, 1,000 banyan saplings, 500 bonsai trees and 200 bougainvillea plants, all suspected of carrying pests and diseases. "The driver failed to provide any documentation for the ornamental plants, which are suspected to have been smuggled from Thailand," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 17). "The 26-year-old driver, who was supposed to deliver the plants to a local nursery, was also detained. "The estimated value of the seizure is RM870,000, including the lorry. (The items have) been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action." Nik Ros Azhan said the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976. – Bernama Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
GOF foils smuggling of 3,700 plants worth RM870,000 in Pasir Mas
KOTA BHARU: The 8th Battalion of the General Operations Force successfully thwarted a smuggling attempt involving 3,700 ornamental plants. The interception occurred along Jalan Rantau Panjang Lama near Pos Pok Teh Kana in Pasir Mas on Friday. Southeast Brigade GOF Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid confirmed the seizure included 2,000 bamboo saplings and 1,000 banyan trees. He added that 500 round bonsai and 200 bougainvillaea plants were also confiscated due to suspected pests and diseases. The driver, a 26-year-old man, could not produce any documentation for the plants believed to be smuggled from Thailand. The suspect was detained while transporting the plants to a local nursery. The total estimated value of the seizure, including the lorry, amounts to RM870,000. All confiscated items have been handed over to the Kelantan Department of Agriculture for further investigation. The case is being probed under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976. - Bernama
Business Recorder
11-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan eyes China as key market for maize exports
MAILISI: The first seminar on maize export potential to China was held on Monday at Mailisi, Vehari, a major maize-producing cluster. The event, which included maize growers, government officials, and industry representatives, highlighted Pakistan's efforts to boost maize exports by meeting the stringent quality and safety standards required by the Chinese market. The seminar underscored the strategic importance of China as a key destination for Pakistani maize. Speakers from various departments emphasized the need for strict adherence to international and Chinese standards. The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) detailed the necessary phytosanitary compliances, including the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 and standards set by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). They also outlined key Chinese food safety standards for mycotoxins (GB 2761-2017), contaminants (GB 2762-2017), and pesticide residues (GB 2763-2021) as mandatory for market access. TDAP organises series of seminars to boost maize exports Dr Mubarik Ahmed from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) addressed critical quality control issues such as aflatoxins and the khapra beetle. He discussed strategies to mitigate these risks, including maintaining dry, cool, and clean grain storage, and noted that maize is the third most important food grain crop in Pakistan. Athar Hussain Khokhar, DG TDAP, highlighted the significant opportunities presented by the recent finalization of the maize export protocol between Pakistan and China. He stated, 'In 2023, China imported approximately 26.23 million metric tons of maize, valued at $9.01 billion. This protocol positions Pakistan to capitalize on China's growing demand, driven by its expanding livestock and feed industries, offering a transformative opportunity to boost Pakistan's agricultural exports and enhance foreign exchange earnings.' He stressed that proactive engagement through capacity-building initiatives is crucial to prepare growers and exporters to meet China's stringent quality and compliance standards, ensuring sustained market access. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Star
06-07-2025
- The Star
GOF seizes RM470,000 worth of ornamental plants over disease risk
KOTA BARU: The Southeast Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) seized a lorry carrying 4,000 bougainvillaea saplings, worth RM470,000, during an inspection along Jalan Bukit Lata, near Jeram Perdah, Pasir Mas, on Saturday (July 5). Its commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid (pic) said that the seizure was made by a team from the 3rd Battalion while conducting Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan at about 10.10am. "An inspection of the lorry led to the discovery of the ornamental plants. The 35-year-old lorry driver was believed to be on his way to deliver the plants to a local nursery when he was arrested," he said in a statement on Sunday. The seized plants were believed to contain pests and diseases, he added. "The seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 6 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976," he said. He added that the authorities would continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement efforts to curb activities which could threaten the country's agricultural security. - Bernama
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
