Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) recently seized a shipping container at Pasir Gudang Port in Johor Baru containing 18 tonnes of pork worth around RM300,000. The discovery was made during a routine inspection around 6pm on Wednesday (Feb 28).
The pork products were imported from Denmark, but there were discrepancies in the documents provided by the delivery agent. While the documents only listed one slaughterhouse, the health certificates accompanying the shipment revealed that products came from three different slaughterhouses.
Edie Putra Md Yusof, the director of Maqis Johor, mentioned that statements were taken from the delivery agent and importer, both in their 30s, before being released. The case is being investigated under Section 13 of the Maqis Act 2011, which deals with providing inaccurate information for imports and carries penalties of up to RM5,000 in fines or a maximum jail term of two years, or both upon conviction.
To ensure the safety of the country’s food supply, Edie Putra emphasized that Maqis will continue to monitor various entry points rigorously. By maintaining strict oversight, they aim to prevent any potential risks to public health.
