PUTRAJAYA, Oct 23 – The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has denied claims that its director-general, Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin, interfered in the arrest and investigation of a luxury vehicle smuggling syndicate in Sarawak.
Customs deputy director-general (Enforcement and Compliance) Ribuan Abdullah emphasised that Section XII of the Customs Act 1967 ensures Customs Department enforcement officers can execute their duties without interference from any party, including those at the state level, which is under the jurisdiction of the state customs director.
“Thus, the Customs Department strongly denies any involvement by the director-general in the arrest or investigation related to the seized vehicles, as this matter falls clearly under the jurisdiction of the Enforcement Division, led by the Sarawak Customs director,” he said.
Ribuan also stressed that the director-general has never interfered in the enforcement activities or the detention of vehicles.
He said this in response to viral allegations circulating on social media, which claimed that Anis Rizana provided special treatment to a syndicate involved in the seizure of 10 luxury vehicles of various brands, estimated to be worth over RM8.12 million, by the Sarawak Customs Department.
Ribuan said a police report had been lodged regarding the allegations to safeguard the reputation of Anis Rizana and the Customs Department.
