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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Department of Inspection and Quarantine Services (Maqis) hopes that the Malaysian Inspection and Quarantine Services Act 2011 (Act 728) can be amended in Dewan Rakyat next year to expand and strengthen the department’s enforcement powers. .
MAQIS CEO Saiful Yazan Alwi said the amendment to the law had already been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and was in the process of being reviewed from a legal aspect by the Attorney General’s Office.
“Currently, MAQIS jurisdiction is only at points of entry, quarantine stations and quarantine premises, so if the law can be amended, the scope of application can be expanded beyond the points of entry, including making arrests and pressing charges, “he said after appearing on Bernama TV’s ‘Ruang Bicara’ the night before.
Commenting on the government’s efforts to consider establishing the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the issue of questionable meat imports, Saiful Yazan said the department welcomed the development.
“When there is an RCI that comprises an independent committee, it can provide some answers to the people, especially in light of the allegations that are being launched, particularly against government enforcement agencies,” he said.
The media had previously reported that a local cartel had been smuggling frozen meat from China, Ukraine, Brazil and Argentina before repackaging it with the Halal logo at a warehouse in Senai, Johor. – Called
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