KUALA LUMPUR – The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, through the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services, has seized 146 tonnes of frozen meat products brought into the country illegally so far this year.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the seizures were worth RM2.33 million, and that Kelantan saw the most seizures, totalling 74 tonnes worth RM692,838.
“The seizures were made under the forfeiture process for offences under Subsection 11(1) and 15(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
“The frozen products will be disposed of as food supply donations to six related departments and agencies. The products, 11 tonnes worth RM106,000 in all, are forfeitures from cases between September and October,” he said during a media conference at the handover to Zoo Negara here today.
Kiandee said the seizures will be turned into catfish feed under a prisoner rehabilitation project as well as food for animals in zoos and wildlife conservation centres.
The departments and agencies besides Zoo Negara receiving the donations include Marang Prison in Terengganu, Penor Prison in Pahang, and Pengkalan Chepa Prison and Machang Prison in Kelantan, he added.
Zoo Negara received the bulk of the donations at 2,000kg, he said.
Kiandee expressed the hope that this continuous initiative would help reduce the burdens of those involved in maintaining food supplies for animals and fish under their supervision. – Bernama, October 26, 2021
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