MIRI, Nov 2 — The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Customs Department) Sarawak confiscated an allegedly untaxed 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 valued at over RM2.3 million, including duties, during an operation here on October 7.
Sarawak Customs director Datuk Norizan Yahya said acting on intelligence received from the Sarawak Intelligence Zone, a team from the Customs Department Miri branch went to the location.
“An inspection on a vehicle covered with a grey canvas, which was parked behind an empty commercial premises in the Sungai Tujuh area, Kuala Baram, uncovered a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
“The vehicle did not have a valid registration number and suspected to have not gone through Customs,” he said in a statement today.
He said the seized vehicle was estimated to be worth RM679,339.50, while the import duty and tax amounted to about RM1,700,048.25.
“The total estimated value of the seizure including duties and taxes is about RM2,379,387.75,” he said.
Norizan explained the importation of classic vehicles, categorised as passenger cars, is subject to the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, which requires an Import Permit issued by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
The case is still under investigation under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, which provides for a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the goods or RM50,000, or up to 20 times the value or RM500,000, whichever is higher, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. — The Borneo Post
