KUCHING: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department had confiscated 18 luxury cars worth RM4.7 million from their owners for evading taxes (Customs duties) worth more than RM8.15 million.
Its deputy director-general Datuk Azimah Abd Hamid (pic) said the luxury cars comprised brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Nissan, Mercedes Range Rover and several other imported models were confiscated here and Samarahan residential areas during a special joint operation led by the Customs Department and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from July 9 to 12.
Initial investigations found that the vehicle owners had violated Item 13 of the Customs Duties (Exemption) Order 2017 by exceeding its stay from its permitted period of (three months or 90 days) into the country and allegation of using false vehicle permits As such, referring to Item 13, foreign nationals and Malaysians holding permanent resident status or valid working permits of a foreign country are allowed to bring in one foreign-registered vehicle on the condition that the vehicle must be re-exported within three months from the date it was brought in.
“We have detained the owners and released them on bail of RM5,000 to RM10,000 with one surety each.
The seized vehicles have been in the state for more than three months. Some of which we believe have been here for more than a year.
Azimah added that apart from the foreign registered number, tinted glass was also an indicator as such practice is not allowed in the Sultanate.
“This is an indicator that the vehicles have not been brought back to their place of origin,” she said.
When asked if the vehicles were owned by prominent figures, she remained mum as investigations are ongoing; “what we are stating here are luxury vehicles, ‘faham ahh’ (understand).
“Further investigations are required to indicate whether the cars are involved in vehicle smuggling syndicates,” she said.
The vehicle owners will be investigated under Section 113(1) of the Customs Act 1967 for making incorrect declarations and falsifying documents and Section 135(1)(g) of the Customs Act 1967 for smuggling.
Under Section 113(1) of the Customs Act 1967 for making incorrect declarations and falsifying documents an offender can be fined for not more than RM500,000 or jail of not more than seven years or both upon conviction.
For smuggling under section 135(1) of the Customs Act 1967, a first time offender can be fined 10 times the value or RM500,000 whichever is higher or a jail sentence of five years or both upon conviction.
For repeat offenders under the same Act, the offender can be fined 20 times the value or RM1 million whichever is higher or a jail sentence of seven years or both upon conviction.
She believed that there are more similar vehicles in the state and urged the public to provide information on such activities by calling 1-800-88-8855.
Also present was Sarawak Customs Department director Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha.
