I know someone here imported phones from Japan but what if I ask the seller to declare it as a gift and below RM500 (USD conversion use Kastam one). Will they open the gift? Suka suka can open?

(Buying iPhone from Germany shhh)

I also live in Ipoh. And from your story I guess I am out of luck. Guess I will have to pay that SIRIM piece of plastic stick for RM 200+.

Yes your second story is similar to mine. PRICE IS SO DAMN LOW that you can buy 2 phones here in M'sia. Hearing from your experience there is only several possible solutions.

1. Use your solution in Story 1.
2. Declare market value of iPhone..god its almost RM2000+ ! + Pay SIRIM
3. Pray to god that Story 2 will repeat itself.

Is the SIRIM permit one payment for all future import or one per item?

Your lucky not to get your item "arrested" by the customs. For handphones, imported ones need a permit from SIRIM to be used. Its a one-time "special" permit that costs RM220 - RM250, depending on how fast you want the permit. The extra RM30 is to give an authorized officer chop the bloody form.