Customs Department receives 80 new 4WDs to overcome 'tonto' threats

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has received 80 brand new Isuzu D-Max 3.0 four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles in its bid to overcome threats and intimidation by 'tontos' (thugs) faced by its personnel which have become more rampant of late.

Its director-general, Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy said the vehicles, equipped with bull bars and video cameras, were for the department's enforcement divisions nationwide.

"We can find out more on the details of vehicles approaching enforcement personnel's vehicles should there be such a threat from the 'tontos'. The cameras will record (everything) and with the evidence, they (tontos) cannot get away with it," he told reporters after handing over replica keys of the 4WDs to JKDM's state representatives here today.

Subromaniam said the statistics showed that the number of threat and intimidation cases received by the enforcement personnel while in ther line of duty between 2013 and 2016 was 150 cases.

"So, I'm warning these syndicates and their tontos to stop it (threats). We will not compromise with those trying to prevent us from carrying out our duties," he said.

Last year, a 54-year-old female enforcement officer, Anisah Ali, was killed after the vehicle she was travelling in with her two colleagues, was knocked down by a 4WD, believed to have been driven by a 'tonto', in Banggol Chicha, Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

In the incident, the customs officers were trailing behind another vehicle on suspicion of carrying contraband cigarettes.

Subromaniam said JKDM had always been formulating new strategies to safeguard its enforcement personnel, particularly at the main entry points in the country.

"I call on our personnel not to be scared while in the line of duty," he said.

Meanwhile, on the latest development on the delay in the implementation of the Tourism Tax on Aug 1, Subromaniam said an announcement on the matter would be made soon.

-- BERNAMA