The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has received 80 brand new Isuzu D-Max 3.0 four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles in its bid to overcome threats and intimidation by 'tontos' (thugs) faced by its personnel which have become more rampant of late.
Its director-general, Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy said the vehicles, equipped with bull bars and video cameras, were for the department's enforcement divisions nationwide.
"We can find out more on the details of vehicles approaching enforcement personnel's vehicles should there be such a threat from the 'tontos'. The cameras will record (everything) and with the evidence, they (tontos) cannot get away with it," he told reporters after handing over replica keys of the 4WDs to JKDM's state representatives here today.
Subromaniam said the statistics showed that the number of threat and intimidation cases received by the enforcement personnel while in ther line of duty between 2013 and 2016 was 150 cases.
"So, I'm warning these syndicates and their tontos to stop it (threats). We will not compromise with those trying to prevent us from carrying out our duties," he said.
Last year, a 54-year-old female enforcement officer, Anisah Ali, was killed after the vehicle she was travelling in with her two colleagues, was knocked down by a 4WD, believed to have been driven by a 'tonto', in Banggol Chicha, Pasir Mas, Kelantan.
In the incident, the customs officers were trailing behind another vehicle on suspicion of carrying contraband cigarettes.
Subromaniam said JKDM had always been formulating new strategies to safeguard its enforcement personnel, particularly at the main entry points in the country.
"I call on our personnel not to be scared while in the line of duty," he said.
Meanwhile, on the latest development on the delay in the implementation of the Tourism Tax on Aug 1, Subromaniam said an announcement on the matter would be made soon.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Jul 11 2017
Subromaniam said JKDM had always been formulating new strategies to safeguard its enforcement personnel, particularly at the main entry points in the country.
Jepun, Uzbekistan berentap final Piala Asia B-23
Pasukan yang kalah dalam penentuan tempat ketiga itu akan menentang Guinea yang berada pada kedudukan keempat.
Niaga AWANI: KWSP: Melestari kehidupan persaraan
Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) dikatakan bukan satu-satunya organisasi yang bertanggungjawab dari segi menambah baik kehidupan masyarakat. Namun KWSP telah memperkenalkan Akaun Fleksibel dan berkuat kuasa mulai 11 Mei 2024. Bagaimana pengurusan persaraan selepas ini dan apakah pendekatan terbaik bagi meningkatkan literasi kewangan dalam kalangan masyarakat?
CapCut juga mungkin akan diharamkan di Amerika Syarikat
Menurut laporan The Washington Post, Amerika Syarikat turut akan memerlukan CapCut dijual untuk terus beroperasi di negara mereka.
Niaga AWANI: WEF: Exploring multiple dimensions for energy transition
Current climate change has left a significant impact on the health of the planet. Therefore, global at this time gives special focus on energy transition efforts. Head of Centre for Energy and Materials; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, Roberto Bocca shares on this at the World Economic Forum from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Niaga AWANI: WEF: Addressing the economic spillover of Middle East tensions
With the Middle East conflict escalating following Iran's attack on Israel early on Sunday, fears are mounting that another series of destructive shockwaves will reverberate through global markets. Head of Research, MIER, Dr Shankaran Nambiar, speaks further on this matter.
AWANI Pagi: Pendidikan kanak-kanak Malaysia ketinggalan?
Ikuti perkongsian pandangan Pensyarah Kanan Jabatan Asas Pendidikan, Fakulti Pendidikan UiTM, Dr Khadijah Said Hashim susulan laporan yang dikeluarkan Bank Dunia baru-baru ini.
AWANI Ringkas: 'Geng Bob' tumpas, lima ditahan disyaki edar dadah
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Kebakaran kilang cat: JAS tempatkan dua alat ukur kualiti udara
Pengukuran tahap kualiti udara masih diteruskan secara berkala sehingga keadaan kembali seperti biasa.
KPM giat laksana pelbagai inisiatif bagi reformasi pendidikan negara
Kelas prasekolah akan diperluas di seluruh institusi pendidikan bawah KPM bagi memastikan isu keciciran murid dapat ditangani daripada awal.
Anwar minta seluruh negara Arab tegas dalam isu Palestin
Katanya, semua pihak juga perlu menyuarakan bantahan terhadap pencerobohan dan pendudukan haram Israel di tanah Palestin.
Pegawai kastam wanita maut kenderaan dirempuh tonto
Mangsa, Anisah Ali, 54, meninggal dunia pada pukul 11.15 malam akibat kecederaan dalaman dan komplikasi usus.