PUTRAJAYA: The total revenue collection of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) as of December 2 this year has reached RM61.35 billion. Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin announced that this achievement surpassed the Ministry of Finance’s initial revenue target of RM56 billion and the revised target of RM61.17 billion set on October 18.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the RMCD has recorded a surplus of RM5.35 billion compared to the original projection of RM56 billion. “In other words, the JKDM has exceeded both the initial target of RM56 billion and the revised target of RM61.17 billion,” Anis Rizana stated at a press conference.

Anis Rizana emphasized that this success marks the best post-pandemic achievement for the department. Comparing the figures from the previous year, RMCD recorded a revenue collection of RM51.95 billion up to November 30, 2023, whereas the current year’s collection up to November 30, 2024, stands at RM60.96 billion, reflecting a revenue increase of
RM9.01 billion or 17.34 percent.

As of December 2, 2024, RMCD successfully thwarted 6,708 attempts to smuggle and evade customs duties or taxes. These cases involved the seizure of goods including taxes worth RM1.532 billion, showing an increase of 73.26 percent, equivalent to RM647.82 million compared to the same period in 2023.

Anis Rizana highlighted that the top commodities with the highest seizure value from January to December 2, 2024, were vehicles, drugs, cigarettes, liquor, and textiles. She attributed this achievement to departmental reforms, including digitalization in customs transactions and the use of AI-enhanced scanning machines.

The director-general affirmed that RMCD intends to maintain this momentum by employing a sustainable strategy to contribute to the nation’s prosperity and development.