If both of you showed so much compassion and adherence to the Rule of Law in this country in the application by PM6 for a pardon, both of you should demonstrate the same zeal in addressing the unpaid taxes and duties due to smuggling activities at the KLIA Cargo terminal.
In case you have forgotten, in Operation Samba 2.0 in March 2024, focused on investigating the personnel and officers of the Customs Department stationed in the cargo section of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, MACC detected a tax revenue leakage amounting to a whopping RM2 billion over a 3 years period.
PMX, at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly gathering on 1 April 2024, you reportedly expressed disappointment over this saying you are doing all you can to curb corruption and power abuse.
RM2 billion uncovered which the country lost for the 3 years period!
The ordinary rakyat can’t imagine how much the country lost over the last 20 years.
How many years such activities have been going on without being detected and caught?
Can’t be just that 3 years.
The scale of corruption and smuggling operations across Malaysia's entry points is indeed massive and a serious concern for national revenue and security.
While initial high-profile operations like Ops Samba 2.0 targeted the KLIA cargo section—uncovering an estimated RM2 billion leakage over three years—MACC has repeatedly shown that its investigations are not confined to a single airport.
The reality of how the scope expands across the country highlights the magnitude of the issue.
The investigation is not limited to air cargo.
MACC has aggressively targeted major sea borders, particularly Port Klang, where the infamous "flying container" and false customs declaration syndicates caused an estimated RM3.5 billion in tax evasion over a decade.
Whether it is the northern borders like Padang Besar and Bukit Kayu Hitam, or southern hubs like Johor Bahru (Senai Airport and the causeways), the modus operandi uncovered at KLIA—such as misdeclaring hazardous chemicals or taxable items as simple "household goods"—presents a blueprint for vulnerabilities across all checkpoints.
To counter this staggering scale, the Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia (AKPS) was established to unify enforcement at all land, sea, and air gateways, working alongside the MACC to catch masterminds who often operate from overseas.
Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali was the 1st Director-General for the period from Oct 17, 2024 – Feb 9, 2025.
Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain is the 2nd and current Director-General who was appointed on July 1, 2025.
Since taking over as the Director-General, one of his main tasks was focusing on root-level institutional integrity, addressing active border syndicates, and reforming internal misconduct.
He openly addressed the necessary task of uncovering and purging corrupt officers within government departments that have led to the dismissal of personnel who compromised border security.
Most importantly, it is highly likely that if he is to remain as the Director General and continued in carrying out the tasks assigned to him, both of you can be assured that the tax revenue leakage will be minimised.
Will we ever acknowledge and address our weaknesses?
We will, if our leadership is genuinely committed to building a clean, transparent and integrity-driven government.
But are we?
From government to government, the pattern remains the same.
When a crisis erupts, statements would be issued to calm public anger and appease the public.
Then, once the attention dies down, back to square one - sometimes in an even worse situation.
High level officials making promises to investigate the matter “sampai lubang cacing”.
How often have we seen this same modus operandi?
The real problem is not just outdated machines or individual failures.
It is a system that repeatedly fails to learn from its mistakes and hold those responsible accountable.
The government should be ashamed that the same problems keep recurring.
How many remember the incident when a Menteri Besar allegedly walked through an airport with a bag containing foreign currency, only to be arrested and questioned by Australian airport officers?
Our problem is bigger than airport security.
There should be no room for failure, compromise, or interference.
Border security is too important to be compromised by political considerations or racial preferences.
Presently Dato Sri Shuhaily is the most qualified person in charge.
Continue to give him the authority to do the job properly.
When it comes to protecting our borders, merit and competence must come before everything else.
Be honest and brave if we want to build a better Malaysia.
We cannot keep ignoring criticism and complaints when they are raised in the hope of creating a better, more peaceful country.
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