The Customs Department has refuted reports that it has caused RM108 billion in losses to the country as highlighted in the recent swoop by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Its director-general Mohamed Khalid Yusuf said the losses suffered by the department were about RM2.2 billion.

The RM108 billion, he said, was the amount of losses due to illegal activities involving various government departments.

“Last year we collected RM7.8 billion compared to the targeted RM10 billion. The amount of losses was about RM2.2 billion. It’s not accurate to say that the RM108 billion losses were from the Customs Department alone,” he told reporters after attending a seminar on the Customs Department and private sector in Petaling Jaya today.

He said the RM2.2 billion losses or 23 percent of custom duties were within the “normal” amount recorded in developed countries.

He said MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed was expected to clarify media reports that a large amount of money was found “scattered” at the home of a senior customs officer who was arrested on March 28.

The money, he said, was actually found in various locations.

“We should clear the name of our enforcement officers because the report about the money (found scattered in the house of the officer) has tarnished our image,” he said.

Khalid said that 20 customs officers were also involved in the operation, codenamed ‘Operasi 3B’, which was aimed at ensuring that the government’s revenue from import activities would be righfully collected.

“There are six agencies involved in the operations namely the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the office of the chief secretary to the government, Customs, police, Inland Revenue Board and the MACC.

‘Done in a transparent manner’

“This multi-agency operation proved that it is done in a transparent manner and that there will be no compromise on those found to have committed offences,” he said.

Sixty-two customs officers were arrested in the nationwide operation including Selangor customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed who was found dead on the first floor of Kuala Lumpur MACC office at Jalan Cochrane here on April 6.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khalid expressed confidence that police would be able to investigate into Ahmad Sarbani's death in a professional and fair manner.

He said Ahmad Sarbani’s family had also expressed confidence that the police would be able to solve the case.

He called on the public to stop speculating about the matter, saying “maligning the dead is not our culture”.

- Bernama