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 exceeds the year’s revenue collection target of RM56 billion, initially set by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), as well as the revised target from October 18, which was RM61.17 billion.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anis Rizana stated that, as of December 2, 2024, RMCD recorded a revenue collection of RM61.35 billion, marking 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,” she explained during a press conference.

Anis Rizana further compared this year’s performance with the previous year, noting that RMCD had recorded a revenue collection of RM51.95 billion up to November 30, 2023, whereas the current year’s collection by
the same date was RM60.96 billion. This demonstrates a revenue increase of RM9.01 billion, equivalent to a 17.34 percent rise.

Additionally, Anis Rizana highlighted RMCD’s success in thwarting smuggling attempts and customs duties or tax evasion in 6,708 cases as of December 2, 2024. “These cases involved the seizure of various types of goods, including taxes worth RM1.532 billion, showing an increase of 73.26 percent, which is RM647.82 million compared to the same period in 2023,” she noted. The main commodities with the highest seizure values included vehicles, drugs, cigarettes, liquor, and textiles.

She attributed this success to reforms within the department, including the digitalization of customs transactions and the use of scanning machines with artificial intelligence (AI) features. Anis Rizana emphasized that RMCD aims to maintain this momentum to achieve sustainable results, contributing to the prosperity and development of the country.