Thursday May 12, 2011
18 Labuan-registered cars seized on mainland

KOTA KINABALU: Eighteen luxury vehicles registered in tax haven Labuan have been seized by Customs for exceeding the three months allowed on the mainland.

The cars, comprising various brands worth RM1.8mil, were found parked in houses and offices during a special raid dubbed Ops Kesan by the state Customs personnel.

Acting Sabah Customs director Janathan Kandok said they had also identified and were looking for numerous other cars registered in Labuan, which were being used in other parts of the state without having their duties paid.

“Those who have brought these cars in are hiding them some keeping the vehicles at home or their offices.
Dead end: Janathan (centre) with deputy Sabah Customs director Hamzah Sundang (left) inspecting one of the seized luxury cars in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

“There are also cases of owners hiding their vehicles in the jungles,” he said here yesterday.

He said bringing in cars registered in Labuan and keeping them on the mainland for over three months could be considered smuggling, and the owners might be fined up to 20 times the duties due for their cars under Section 15 of the Customs Act.

They are also liable to a jail term of up to three years.

Janathan said the department would continue to monitor the movement of such cars.
Hmm, isn't there a case where they caught a Langkawi or Labuan Lamborghini LP640 in KL hiding in a workshop somewhere? looks like they are serious this time...