CUSTOMS agents of deceit and Customs officers who are corrupt. HAMIDAH ATAN talks to Customs director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid about coping with this never-ending problem.

Q: You have said that about 100 forwarding agents could be involved in smuggling or tax evasion at Port Klang, and one agent is said to do so 132 times a month. What action has been taken?

A: Action has been taken against unscrupulous agents under the Customs Act 1967. A number of agents have been charged in court. Recently, five agents were found guilty by the court. Any Customs agent found guilty by the court will be blacklisted and his licence revoked.

We have also blacklisted some of these companies (agents). In fact, some of them have had their licences suspended or revoked. Our officers have been monitoring the activities of these companies.

The department has introduced a Customs Verification Initiative and the pilot project was carried out in Johor Baru in September. The results have been very encouraging. This risk-management system analyses import data and traces the track record of companies.

If a Customs agent's record is good, the consignments will not be inspected but for those with a medium risk record, document inspection will be carried out. Consignments of high-risk companies will be scanned and undergo
physical checks.

Q: Why was the Anti-Corruption Agency not called in?

A: We have established close co-operation with enforcement agencies such as the ACA and police. In fact, several committees have been formed to look into strengthening Customs control, especially in Port Klang.

Q: Were Customs officials involved?

A: There is no denial that some of our officers were involved but the number is just a handful. There are many other Customs officers who work hard round-the-clock with honesty, sincerity and integrity and they are the ones whose work has helped in the high tax collection every year.

We see corrupt officers as those who are manning a fort but because of their dishonesty they cause the "death" of thousands of fellow officers.

Although the number is small, the impact of their action is great. And if anything is not done about this, not only the department, but the whole country could be ruined. That is why we always carry out our own internal investigations to determine weaknesses or neglect on our part.

If there is any system or equipment found to be faulty or weak, we rectify it fast. The same thing goes for corrupt officers. Those who are corrupt will face action or their service will be terminated.

Efforts to overcome irregularities and other problems are ongoing. New officers will have to undergo motivational programmes to gain knowledge so that they will have a better understanding of what is required of them.

Q: With see-through scanning machines and other hi-tech equipment, why are there still smuggling or attempts to avoid paying Customs duty?

A: Customs officers are only human. Only dedicated and responsible officers can bring good results. Corruption is committed by irresponsible officers. The scanning machines are there to facilitate their work and enhance the public service delivery system.

Q: What are the remedial measures being taken to overcome this problem?

A: We are taking steps, like introducing the ICTR (integrity, core business, technology and rakyat) action plan.

Under "integrity", various campaigns and talks have been and will be held to instil good moral values not only among our officers but also their families.

Under "core business", we will continue to upgrade our systems and equipment. For instance, now we already have Delta-tax to expedite auditing of tax collections and CD-Tech to expedite in-situ licensing.

For "technology", working tools and technological devices like computers will be purchased. Quality competitions and community projects to help rid of smuggling have also been drawn up for the "rakyat" aspect. We have also embarked on programmes to beautify the quarters of our officers (to boost staff
morale).

Q: Do the international smuggling syndicates have a terrorist connection?

A: We do not have much information on international syndicates. There were (local) syndicates linked to money laundering and other activities such as gangsterism.
Right now, we do not have any details on this (connection between international syndicates and terrorists).

Q: According to the Auditor-General's Report, the department bought a RM500 million computer system when the relatively new RM200 million system was underused?

A: The answer to this has been given to the Treasury.

Q: It was reported that RM8 million worth of fireworks were seized. What happened to the fireworks?

A: Seized contraband is destroyed.

Q: How much does the department spend on retirement parties and other Customs events?

A: Since last year, we have not been holding any farewell functions for our officers, even for the department's top guns who were retiring. In fact, when I retired in October (Abdul Rahman's service has been extended), I did not request for any farewell dinners or parties. I was in the office doing my job.

Any official function will only be held after we get the approval from the Treasury. We are practising what the government wants all departments and agencies to do - be thrifty in our spending. Our expenditure is based on the guidelines and quality standards adopted in the civil service.