KUCHING, Nov 23: Personnel from the Customs Department and Marine Department successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle out 4,100 metric tonnes of coal with an estimated royalty value of RM120,000 to Bangladesh yesterday.
The coal shipment was carried out without the sales approval from the Sarawak government and export permit from the federal government.
“The case is now being investigated under the Mineral Ordinance 2004,” said the Land Survey Department in a statement today.
The success in foiling this smuggling attempt was in line with the understanding between 18 state and federal government agencies through the `Key Focus Activity’ (KFA) project under the `Sarawak Civil Service 10-20 Action Plan’ initiative.
The project has successfully produced one integrated directive and work procedure relating to the sales of rock materials and minerals out of Sarawak. The directive and work procedure indicated that any sales of rock materials and minerals need initial approval from the state government.
The purpose of the implementation is to ensure that this kind of activity is under control and does not affect supply materials for domestic consumption. — DayakDaily
