KOTAKINABALU: With just four months to year end, the Royal Customs Malaysia Department has exceeded its last year’s collection target.
Disclosing that the expected figure would increase, its director general Datuk Sri Khazali Ahmad announced that they had collected RM21.5 billion to date, which is about two per cent more than last year’s figure over the same period.
Their target this year is RM34.4 billion.
“We also hope that this year we will be able to collect the levy from the oil palm industry which was temporarily stopped last year after the commodity’s price dropped.
“This is also due to the development on new products, the production of alternative oil which is reported to be depleting, thus giving the opportunity for palm oil to increase its price,” he told reporters after the launching of the Civil Servants Professionalism Convention by Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Ariffin Arif here yesterday.
He said the shortage of other alternative oils would have some kind of chain reaction to the palm oil prices.
“Levy will be collected if the prices in Sabah and Sarawak exceed RM3,000 per metric tonne, while in West Malaysia, RM2,500,” he said, adding that although the oil palm levy was not high, it still contributed to the nation’s revenue.
On another development, Khazali said the department would continue to monitor smuggling activities, especially contraband goods.
“At the same time, we will also be working closely with other enforcement agencies to curb smuggling,” he said.
Meanwhile, as part of an effort to meet world class administration by 2015, the department has been entrusted to lead the World Customs Organisation for two years (2014-2016), which is participated by 30 countries.
“This shows that the world recognises our leadership skills, and put us in the world map,” he said.
On the event, themed ‘The Nation’s Sovereignty Our Responsibility’, Khazali said they hope to share with the civil servants on issues related to the country’s security.
“We hope to rid all negative perception on the department, and would carry out transformation programmes to bring change for a more encouraging and well-planned development for us,” he said.
He therefore urged the SPEED culture, or Speed, Professional, Efficiency, Effectiveness and Dynamic, be practised by all officers and staff.
Also present was Sabah Customs Department director Janathan Kandok.