Disposal completed for over 2.5 tonnes fruit, plants from Sabah seized at Merapok ICQS

MIRI (Jan 20): The Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at Merapok, Lawas carried out a disposal exercise on Monday for over 2.5 tonnes of fruits and plants confiscated by the Sabah and Sarawak agriculture departments.

In a statement, the Merapok ICQS said the exercise was witnessed by representatives from the Sabah Customs Department, Immigration Department, General Operations Force, and People’s Volunteer Corps.

A total of eight Detention of Plant (DOP) cases were disposed of, involving 2,529kg of durians, 20kg of dabai, and one moringa plant.

The disposal process was certified by senior officers from the Agriculture Department and Customs Department, who acted as principal witnesses.

According to the statement, the seized items were destroyed by burying and burning them in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Disposal was carried out after the mandatory seven-day forfeiture period had lapsed, with all items having exceeded 12 days from the date of seizure.

According to Malaysian plant quarantine regulations, certain trees, planting materials, and agricultural produce are prohibited from entering Sarawak and Sabah without an import permit and phytosanitary certificate.

This is governed by the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167) and Plant Quarantine Regulations 1981, and the administrative authority in Sarawak and Sabah is vested in the Sarawak and Sabah departments of agriculture.

Merapok ICQS added enforcement action at the border would continue, with all agencies stationed at the complex enforcing existing laws to strengthen border control.