ISKANDAR PUTERI: Malaysian authorities have detained a lorry for bringing in 22 tonnes of pig carcasses worth almost RM600,000 from Singapore at Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) here.
The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) and Customs Department impounded the lorry on Sunday (March 31).
Its Johor director Edie Putra Md Yusof said an inspection was carried out on the vehicle by a team of enforcement personnel from Maqis and Customs Department at around 1.15am at the import inspection bay at KSAB.
“Following inspections by both agencies, we found that the lorry had attempted to bring in the pig carcasses without any documentation at all.
“Further checks found that the consignment was missing documents such as Maqis import permit and veterinary health certificate,” he said in a statement here on Friday (April 5).
Edie Putra added the 29-year-old lorry driver and his 27-year-old assistant had since been released after having their statements recorded to assist with the investigation.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 11(1) of the Maqis Act 2011 [Act 728], which can be punished under Section 11 (3) of the same Act for importing without a Maqis import permit.
Edie Putra also said the department would continue enforcing laws at all of the country’s entry points to monitor and inspect each agricultural product coming into Malaysia.
He added this was to make sure that such imported items were free from the threat of pests, diseases and contamination and comply with the conditions and regulations that have been set.
