KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) had successfully uncovered an attempt to illegally import frozen food through falsified declarations.
In the Op Ribat Sepanggar series 1/2026 operation, 12 containers containing chicken and pork products worth RM3.42 million were successfully seized at Sepanggar Port.
AKPS Director-General, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the success was the result of operations carried out since May 19 through AKPS’s strategic collaboration with several other agencies.
He said that among those involved were the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), Sabah State Health Department (JKNS), Sabah Veterinary Services Department (DVS) and the Port Authority.
“Following on from the operation we carried out in July, we managed to seize 14 containers carrying a total of nearly RM3 million in seized goods.
“We decided on July 16 to inspect 12 more containers. So in these containers, it turns out that what we saw and inspected were frozen meat products from China and Hong Kong.”
“11 containers contained frozen meat, namely chicken meat and the other contained pork meat. The estimated seizure in these 12 containers weighed 348 tonnes, bringing the total trade to RM3.4 million,” he said.
He said this at a press conference held at Sepanggar Port, here,yesterday.
Mohd Shuhaily said that following the discovery, AKPS had seized the entire merchandise to enable an investigation under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 (Act 235).
He said this was due to failure to make a full and true declaration and submitting certificates or documents that were incorrect in material matters.
“If convicted, the offender can be fined up to RM500,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding five years, or both,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shuhaily said that since April, AKPS has successfully seized nearly 40 containers, bringing the total seizure value to almost RM6.7 million.
“And I would also like to take this opportunity to relate the same efforts carried out in Sarawak last week where the Bintulu Commander successfully intercepted nine containers.”
“The same matter, wrong declaration under the same section, same act, brought the total seizure to almost RM3.14 million.
“We will continue this effort nationwide and I am very excited when the same effort is welcomed by the Sabah Veterinary Department, which has carried out almost similar operations in Tawau and Sandakan in the past two to three months,” he stressed.
In this regard, Mohd Shuhaily stressed that AKPS views seriously any attempt to bring in trade illegally through false declarations or any form of regulatory violation at the country’s entry points.
He said AKPS would continue to strengthen controls and inspections at all entry points into the country through an integrated enforcement approach with relevant agencies. – Fardy Bungga
Mohd Shuhaily (fourth left), shows frozen chicken products that were successfully seized in the operation
