KUALA LUMPUR: THE Customs Department will not protect officers or personnel found guilty of corruption and abusing their power for personal gain.

Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainuddin described these offences as "unforgivable".

These actions, she said, not only tarnished the country's image and reputation, but could also affect the majority of staff and personnel who were honest and dedicated.

"The department will neither compromise nor protect anyone if it is proven that they were involved in these activities," she said.

She was speaking at an event to commemorate cooperation between government agencies to tackle smuggling at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Friday night.

This is understood to be the first time that Anis Rizana has openly addressed the issue affecting the department following the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) arrests of 34 Customs officers at KLIA during Op Samba 2.0 and 11 officers at Port Klang.

The activities of the "flying containers" syndicate is believed to have led to RM3.5 billion in tax leakages for the country.

MACC has seized RM4.4 million in cash, believed to be obtained from the proceeds of corruption by Customs officers suspected to be involved in the case.

Also seized were four Yamaha XMAX motorcycles worth RM28,000 each, a luxury multi-purpose vehicle worth more than RM200,000, a used BMW car, jewellery, luxury watches, as well as a plot of land, all of which were bought with cash.

On Friday, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency had identified more than 100 companies involved in the syndicate, which had been active and operating for more than a decade in Port Klang.

The companies, he said, acted as intermediaries for the payment of bribes to rogue Customs officers.

The probe has also seen MACC liaising with Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau to track down a Singaporean, believed to be a key figure behind the syndicate.

Meanwhile, Anis Rizana, who is the first female Customs D-G, having assumed the role in September last year, reminded the department's personnel, including those stationed at airports, to uphold their level of integrity.

"Conduct that places Malay-sia's reputation at risk include corruption, leaking government secrets and abusing one's position for personal gain."

She said no mission could be achieved if its team members did not uphold integrity.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/06/1064081/targeting-corrupt-customs-officers