Johor Maqis thwarts bid to import 740kg of buffalo meat at Pasir Gudang Port

The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department foiled an attempt to bring in some 740kg of buffalo without proper documents at the Pasir Gudang Port, Johor Baru on June 12, 2023.

JOHOR BARU: An attempt to import some 740kg of buffalo meat was foiled by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) at the Pasir Gudang Port here.

State director Edie Putra Md Yusof said the meat worth about RM11,700 was brought in from India on Monday (June 12).

“During an inspection, Maqis officials found 37 boxes of buffalo meat stored in a shipping container, complete with the dates of slaughter, packing and expiry as well as the importer’s name.

“However, the information was different from what was stated on the halal certificate that was issued, which is against Section 13 of the Maqis Act 2011 (Act 728).

“We recorded the statement of a local male shipping agent, in his 30s, as part of our investigations before releasing him,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (June 13).

He added that it is an offence to make false declarations or provide inaccurate documents and is punishable under Section 13 of the same Act, where upon conviction, those guilty could face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.

Edie Putra also said Maqis would continue monitoring the state’s entry and exit points to safeguard the country’s food security and ensure the agriculture products brought in are safe and in compliance with the law.