Bukit kayu hitam: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,000 kilogrammes (kg) of pig carcasses into the country, without valid import documents, at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS commander SAC Mohd Nasarudin M. Nasir stated that the inspection was conducted on a cargo vehicle around 6.30 am during a Special Physical Inspection Operation at the ICQS heavy cargo vehicle route. The vehicle was directed to a weighbridge, where its gross weight was recorded at 4,200 kg. Further inspection revealed its net weight to be 2,200 kg, leading to the discovery of the illegal load consisting of 2,000 kg of pig carcasses.

The pork, estimated to be worth about RM66,000, was seized due to the prohibition of pork importation from Thailand, stemming from the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF). The case is being investigated under Section 11(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).

On the same day, Mohd Nasarudin reported that AKPS also denied entry to nine foreign nationals attempting to enter Malaysia through the Bukit Kayu Hitam entry point. The group included one man and five Bangladeshi women, who were refused entry as they were not permitted to enter Malaysia via land routes.

Additionally, a Taiwanese man and an Indian man were denied entry on suspicion of not being genuine tourists, with intentions believed to involve overstaying by misusing social visit passes. A woman from Hong Kong was also refused entry, as her name appeared on the department's suspect list.

All refusals were conducted in line with the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the individuals involved were instructed to return to their respective countries via Thailand.