FORD GT40 Among 50 Vehicles Seized by Customs

The Royal Malaysian Customs (JKDM) has confiscated a total of 50 luxury vehicles including nine high-powered motorcycles with a total estimated value of RM11.4 million, including unpaid import taxes of RM7.1 million.

These imported vehicles were part of vehicles seized in the ongoing "Ops Bearing" which started on August 15. "Ops Bearing" is a joint effort exercise between The Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

According to the Assistant Director General of Customs (Central Division), Mohammad Sabri Saad, "this operation was aimed to track down parties and individuals who attempt in evading import tax payment. Such attempt of tax evasion would be a hugh loss of revenue to the country".

"From the 50 vehicles seized, 45 were detected and confiscated at the Port Klang while the remaining were confiscated around this district. Some of the vehicle’s confiscated are Ford Mustang GT, a rare Ford GT40, Mini Cooper Clubman, KTM Adventure 1290, Honda CB1100 and Harley Davidson XL1200X," he added further during the press conference at Wisma Kastam here today.

The vehicles seized predominantly originated from various countries such as Japan, the United States, United Kingdom as well as Sweden. Initial investigations shows that the vehicles imported were brought in by international students who had just registered at a public higher education institute locally. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the students were unaware of it being an offense to import in car without having a prior approved import permit. However, the enforcing authorities would not give any leeway based on those reasons provided and this vehicle seizures would be investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1957 for attempting to import goods without customs clearance. 

(Source & Pictures: BERNAMA, Zulfadhli Zaki)