Leaders, VIPs ‘smuggling in cash on private jets’
KUALA LUMPUR: Aircraft or private jets linked to leaders or VIPs are believed to have been used to smuggle large amounts of cash into the country.
This is due to lax enforcement and inspection on private aircraft linked to leaders, high-ranking government officials or individuals close to them.
Scanners at airport exit points are rarely used to check baggage or items carried by these passengers, causing millions of ringgit to be smuggled in without a thorough inspection.
It is believed that the modus operandi was used to bring in RM49 million (US$12 million) last April by an agency linked to the Prime Minister’s Department of the previous administration for political purposes, including for the 14th General Election.
Former head of Immigration operations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Datuk Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said such activity was commonplace.
“Enforcement agencies are aware of it but it has not been tackled effectively. Laws on money laundering in our country are strict, so the parties involved will use whatever method to bring in more cash than allowed.
“When a private plane landed at the airport, strict inspection was not carried out on its passengers’ luggages. This happened all the time.
“This explains the dumping of foreign currencies, especially the US dollar, in our country.”
He said it was time for the activity to be exposed and stopped.
Shahul said the weakness at the airport entry checkpoint allowed the system to be manipulated by irresponsible parties, even though there were enough law enforcement officers and scanners.
He said it was time for the government to seriously look into the smuggling of cash.
The case investigated by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) recently was only part of the activity.
“Customs should check and scan any baggage or passenger goods, even if they are dignitaries or VIPs.
“Just because they are high-ranking officers or VIPs, they are released without thorough and proper checks,” Shahul said.
It is learnt that the government is limiting the amount of money that can be brought in to US$10,000 (RM41,000) per person.
If the amount exceeds the limit, it must be declared with the Customs Department and approval must be obtained from Bank Negara.
However, as is often the case, their status as leaders or individuals with connections allows them to get away.
Yesterday, BH revealed that hundreds of millions of ringgit allegedly linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) were believed to be held overseas, especially in West Asia.
This follows the latest finding by MACC that an agency known as the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) is suspected of being responsible for bringing in “secret” cash into Malaysia.
The investigation did not rule out the possibility that some MEIO officials were believed to have been sent to a country, believed to be in West Asia, to get and smuggle 1MDB money into the country in April.