The Royal Malaysian Customs Department has clarified that the setting up of its Special Internal Investigation Unit did not involve the creation of any posts and instead was done administratively by way of a task force.

As such, approval from the Public Service Department (PSD) was not needed until the task force was made into an official branch of the customs department, it said in a statement today.

It said the unit, which was set up on Jan 2, will investigate reports or allegations on smuggling activities by any party or syndicate, including those implicating the department’s officers.

“The unit will act on the reports and allegations, and a thorough preliminary investigation will be conducted before any action is taken, in accordance with existing provisions of the law,” the statement said.

“The duties of the unit will not overlap with those of the department’s Integrity Branch,” it said to clarify a news portal report yesterday which claimed that the customs department had established a new unit without the approval of the PSD.

The department said the unit would ensure the integrity of its own officers and those dealing with the department, in line with the government’s policy not to compromise on corrupt practices.

- Bernama