MAQIS FOILS ATTEMPT TO BRING IN SACRIFICIAL MEAT FROM BANGLADESH

KOTA BHARU, July 5 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan branch of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) foiled an attempt to bring in 20 kilogrammes (kg) of sacrificial meat, worth RM600, from Bangladesh at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) here last week.

Its director, Syed Fuad Syed Putra said a routine inspection by MAQIS enforcement officers at the LTSIP arrival hall on June 26, at 6pm, found the sacrificial meat (beef) that did not have a valid permit and was hidden in a polystyrene box.

He said the purpose of the ban on importing and bringing in the meat by air was to prevent the risk of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) from entering the country and causing damage to the livestock industry.

"A Bangladeshi man, in his 40s, was detained when his luggage was checked at the arrival hall and the 20 kg of sacrificial meat, believed to be for his family in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, was found,” he said in a statement today.

"Therefore, all the merchandise was seized for further action."

Elaborating further, Syed Fuad said the act of importing any type of plant, animal, carcass, fish, agricultural produce, soil or microorganism without a valid import permit from MAQIS is an offence under Section 11(1), Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) which can be punished under Section 11(3), the same act.

-- BERNAMA