Johor Maqis seizes 820kg of mud-contaminated lotus roots at Sultan Abu Bakar Complex

ISKANDAR PUTERI: A total of 820kg of lotus roots that have been contaminated by mud has been seized by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) here.

Johor Maqis director Edie Putra Md Yusof said that a lorry ferrying vegetables from Singapore was inspected at about 2.50pm on Saturday (May 6).

"Following checks, we found 1,060kg of lotus roots where 820kg of them were contaminated with mud.

"The 82 boxes of the muddy lotus roots worth about RM7,000 were hidden under other boxes containing clean vegetables.

"The lotus roots have been seized for further action," he said in a statement here on Sunday (May 7).

He said that the import of any agricultural products containing pests, diseases or contaminants is an offence under Section 14(a) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) and punishable under Section 14 of the same Act.

If convicted, the offender could face maximum fines of RM100,000 or up to six years imprisonment or both.

"We will continue our enforcement and monitoring at all entry points in the country.

"This is to ensure agricultural products, plants, animals, carcasses, fish and microorganisms imported into Malaysia were free from pests, diseases and contamination," he said.