By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 17: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Sarawak now has a RM9.98 million purpose-built facility to store seized goods more safely and systematically as part of its enforcement operations.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the facility was important as increasing enforcement success had resulted in more goods being detained and seized, requiring proper storage and management.
“Provision of a suitable store is very important to ensure seized goods can be stored and managed properly, more systematically and safely, in accordance with enforcement and legal requirements,” he said during the handover of the retendered Customs Enforcement Office’s Seizure Storage construction project at the Kuching Marine Office in Jalan Bako, Muara Tebas, here today.
He said the government-owned facility would also reduce JKDM’s reliance on rented private premises while helping optimise government expenditure in the long term.
The facility comprises three storage areas, a vault, an exhibit room and an open burning area, together with a guardhouse, pump room, water tank, mechanical and electrical systems and parking facilities. It is also equipped with security fencing, CCTV and access control systems.
According to Public Works Department (JKR) Malaysia Senior Director of General Building Works Branch 1 Datuk Dr Balamurugan A. Gopal, the project was implemented by JKR Malaysia’s Special Project Team 2 (PPK2) from May 2024 at a cost of RM9.98 million, with the Certificate of Practical Completion (CPC) issued on May 26, 2026.
He said the project adopted a Pre-Approved Plan (PAP), adapting the design of a similar Customs seizure store in Seremban to suit the Kuching site and operational requirements while streamlining design preparation and optimising cost.
Nanta also clarified that the project’s retendering did not mean it was a “sick project”, explaining that the first tender had no takers before the project was reworked with a consultant’s design and retendered.
He said the project was subsequently completed according to the approved cost, quality and timeframe, in line with the ministry’s emphasis on completing projects on time or, preferably, ahead of time under its “Ahead of Time” (AOT) approach.
Nanta said JKR Malaysia was currently implementing 112 projects for various Federal agencies with a total allocation of RM12 billion, comprising 30 completed projects, 38 under construction, 41 at pre-construction stage and three involving preliminary works.
He added that the ministry aimed to bring the number of delayed or “sick” projects to zero, noting that such projects currently account for less than 4 per cent of those being implemented at any one time.
Meanwhile, Treasury Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ab Rahim Ab Rahman said the Ministry of Finance had approved RM877 million for several Customs projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, while RM169 million had been allocated under the first rolling plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan.
He said the new facility would support JKDM’s operations and improve the department’s ability to manage seized goods in a more systematic and secure manner. — DayakDaily
