BUTTERWORTH – The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) Penang seized 14,000 tonnes of wheat from Australia worth more than RM20 million at the Dermaga Dalam Wharf port last Saturday.
Penang Maqis director Muhammad Ikram Abd Talib said the bulk cargo ship carrying Australian standard white wheat and premium white wheat was detained and not allowed to anchor for submitting false information.
“The results of the inspection carried out by Maqis enforcement officers found that the ship had submitted different and confusing information on a valid Maqis import permit.
“No arrests were made among the crew, but they were not allowed to anchor until the case was completed. This is our biggest seizure this year,” he said in a statement today.
Ikram said the Australian wheat is believed to have been imported by a food processing company based in Selangor.
He said importers that submit inaccurate information will be investigated in accordance with Section 13 of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
“If convicted of the offence, (they( can be fined not more than RM50,000, imprisoned for a period not exceeding two years, or both.”
He said Maqis will continue to take serious measures over issues involving food safety, disease control and the risk of pest entry that could threaten the country’s agricultural industry. – The Vibes, October 4, 2021
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