Sindiket: Kerajaan perlu tangani kelemahan sistemik secara menyeluruh

Malaysia must address systemic weaknesses across the board to combat smuggling, says a leading expert. Transparency International Malaysia's President, Raymon Ram, highlighted that smuggling extends beyond a loss of national income; it also involves institution integrity, fraud, and planned crime. The expert's comments came while examining data from the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade in a 2025 report evaluating ASEAN's performance in the illicit trade index.

While Malaysia scored high at 77.3 out of 100 for trade, customs, and border control, its overall rating dropped to 24.7 due to weak oversight of domestic businesses like warehouses and shadow markets. The expert pointed out the gap between existing laws and their effective enforcement. Despite Malaysia's good border control score, oversight of warehouses, suppliers, and online platforms remains inadequate, he warned.

What is more concerning is that illegal trade also opens the door to bribery, abuse of power, and potential protection for syndicates. The expert argued that the government needs to strengthen internal control, risk-based auditing, and comprehensive supply chain monitoring. Malaysia also needs a more structured enforcement system with shared risk, clear accountability, and shared performance targets, he added.

Punishment should not be measured solely by the value seized but by how effectively the ring of smugglers, financiers, and accomplices are brought to justice. Personal investigation is crucial to identify those behind the activities, suppliers, middlemen, and beneficiaries, he stressed. The expert also called for enhanced monitoring of online platforms, which must ensure that sellers and offered goods do not violate laws.

If the ban on an ad or account is lifted but the seller opens a new account and continues the same activities, the real problem remains unresolved, he warned. Law professor Hazmi Mohd Rusli of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia said Malaysia does have laws that can be used to combat smuggling, but the challenge lies in enforcement and monitoring, especially online platforms.

Accused individuals should be verified with greater certainty to ensure illicit goods are not easily sold openly, he added. Enforcement actions need to be continuous, not just when complaints are lodged or during large-scale operations.