Kota Kinabalu: The Customs Department collected RM65.57 billion in indirect tax revenue in 2024, surpassing the original target of RM56 billion set by the Ministry of Finance.
Customs Director-General Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin attributed this achievement to strong collaboration between the Department and the Sabah Government agencies in enhancing trade facilitation and revenue monitoring.
“One key success factor was our excellent working relationship with the Sabah Government and related agencies, which greatly supported revenue collection and enforcement efforts,” she said after a courtesy call on Head of State Tun Musa Aman at the Istana Seri Kinabalu, here, Monday.
Anis said the Department has implemented more effective strategies to strengthen enforcement, particularly in curbing smuggling activities in the State.
“Sabah’s vast territory and shared borders with neighbouring countries like Indonesia and the Philippines pose challenges for Customs. However, we will continue to enhance border controls through inter-agency cooperation,” she said.
She said Sabah Customs recorded over 10 per cent increase in enforcement activities during the first two months of 2025, with efforts being intensified to prevent revenue leakage.
Anis was accompanied by Sabah Zone Assistant Director-General Saidin Jalaludin and exchanged views with Musa on good governance practices, emphasising transparency, efficiency and integrity in revenue administration.
For the record, Anis made history as the first woman appointed as Customs Director-General, serving since Sept 25, 2023.