Subromaniam: Customs satisfied with SST implementation

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Since the reintroduction of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) on Sept 1, RM1 billion has been collected from tax on imported goods.

Customs director-general Datuk Seri T. Subromaniam said however, the amount collected from local goods would be known only later this month.

“Overall, we are satisfied with the implementation of SST and do not face any major issues.

“For local SST, traders will only send a statement by the end of the month,” he said at the handing over ceremony of Customs Examination Area (CEA) Building at Dewan Budaya Cawangan Import, Sultan Abu Bakar Custom, Immigration and Quarantine Complex here yesterday.

Present was Gelang Patah member of parliament Lim Kit Siang.

At the event, the Customs Department received the certificate of the construction of the CEA Building.

He said the government had always promoted the use of the Second Link since the Sultan Iskandar Building CIQ was always busy.

He said the facility was previously not preferred due to problems, such as the absence of roofing and proper lighting.

Subromaniam said this led to the delay in the Customs release processes, especially when it rained, as officers could not make inspections.

However, with the completion of the roof, inspection could be done and officers could work comfortably, he said.

“We believe it can boost the trade clearance processes at the Second Link.

“In addition, the implementation of ‘uCustoms’, announced by the prime minister in the midterm review of the 11th Malaysia Plan, will curb leakages in the system.

“It is a new Customs clearance system to replace the old one. It is expected to be launched next year and will first be used in Port Klang, before it is expanded to other checkpoints.”