MORE CHALLENGING ROLE

OFFICIAL OPENING.... Taib (centre) declares open the new building. At right is Ragad.

By : JOHNSON K SAAI

KUCHING: The responsibility of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department has always been very challenging but the challenges will be even greater once Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) starts full operation in the near future.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said that SCORE would be the state’s prime business centre that would involve imports of raw products for the processing of finished products before they could be exported abroad.

“SCORE will speed up lots of business activities with import and export value amounting to billions of ringgit and with this, proceeds from customs duties and taxes would also be more,” he said.

He added it was timely for the department to undergo a transformation process so as to be fully prepared to face the anticipated future challenges.

He said this when opening the new RM30 million Royal Malaysian Customs Department building in Petra Jaya here yesterday.

Taib said the building’s opening signified two things; one, as a recognition of the important role played by the department in contributing towards the economic growth of the state and country, and two, an indication that customs officers in the state had been able to establish strong team spirit among themselves in serving the country and its people over the years.

“Collecting money from the people is never an easy task, but equipped with the proper training and commitment to serve by observing the existing rules and regulations, our customs officers have managed to provide excellent service,” he said.

Customs Director-General Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad also spoke at the function which was also attended by several others including state Cabinet ministers. (BP)