PETALING JAYA: Frozen chicken in a container bearing the logo of Israel-based shipping company Zim has been detained and turned back at the border checkpoint in Padang Besar, Perlis.
The state Customs Department said the container was detained around noon on Sunday (June 2) when a lorry from a neighbouring country passed through the scanner at the checkpoint.
It is believed that the chicken was meant for distribution in Malaysia.
State Customs director Ismail Hashim said In a statement on Wednesday (June 5) that after the company logo was seen on the container, the consignment was seized for confirmation and further checks.
He added that the lorry was then ordered to turn back along with the container and its contents on Sunday.
He urged the public to inform the toll-free Customs Hotline at 1-800-88-8855 or contact the nearest Customs office if they have information on smuggling activities.
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for an immediate probe of claims that containers bearing the Zim logo were at a port in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
On Tuesday (June 4), he urged the Transport Ministry to step up monitoring of all ports in Malaysia to keep Israeli vessels from docking.
Following the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in December that the government would no longer accept ships flying the Israeli flag into the country with immediate effect.
Any ship en route to Israel would also be prohibited from loading cargo at Malaysian ports, he added.
