12 KERETA MEWAH Dirampas ( 12 LUXURY CARS SEIZED)

LABUAN: Twelve luxury cars valued at more than RM1.33 million were seized by the Customs Department for exceeding the annual 90-day limit in mainland Sabah. The cars, with unpaid duties of more than RM2.3 million, were seized during the 'Ops Kesan 21A' from October 30 to November 2.

The cases were being investigated under Section 138 of the Customs Act 1967. Revealing this, Customs Director-General Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad said more such operations would be conducted to stem the abuse of duty-free vehicles in Labuan.
"Effective January 1, 2013, owners of vehicles leaving the duty-free island for customs areas, under Article 21A of the Duties Exemption Order, need to declare through Customs 1 forms," said Khazali at the department's enforcement complex in Kiansam.

He was here for a seminar to raise the level of integrity and accountability of customs agents, as well as shippers and forwarders.

During the first 10 months this year, the customs enforcement division conducted seven sea and land operations to prevent smuggling activities and to enforce the laws under its jurisdiction.

During the same period, Khazali said, the department collected RM437,642,286.68 in revenue, adding it was on track to achieve the 2012 revenue target of RM592,354,934.64.

To a question on why electronic home appliances here are more expensive than outside the duty-free area, its Labuan Director, Wasimi Daimin, said: "The quantities imported are too small to discharge here."

As these goods are not duty-free in Sabah and brought to Labuan, Wasimi said, adding it was up to the importers and manufacturers to claim reimbursement for the taxes already paid. (DE)