Buletin kastam bulan march 2017

MARCH 2017

ISSUE 5 / 2017

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BULLETIN http://www.customs.gov.my

IN FOCUS The AEO MRA IN FOCUS Joint Action Plan & Road Map 10th BIMP - EAGA Signing Heads of Customs Ceremony (HOC) Meeting between RMCD & GACC

VISITS/ COURTESY CALLS Australian Border Force (ABF) Visit to RMCD

VISITS/ COURTESY CALLS Study Visit by The Gambia Officials & World Health Organization

CAPACITY BUILDING RMCD’S Assistance to New WCO Asia/Pacific Vice-Chair

OUR STAFF Interview with Customs Attaché

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

CONTENTS

PAGE

EDITOR’S NOTE

3

IN FOCUS  The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA)

4

Joint Action Plan and Road Map Signing Ceremony between RMCD and GACC  10th Brunei Darussalam - Indonesia - Malaysia - Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP - EAGA)

6

Heads of Customs (HOC) Meeting  26th World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points (RCP) Meeting

10

VISITS/ COURTESY CALLS  Australian Border Force (ABF) Visit to RMCD

12

 Study Visit by The Gambia Officials and World Health Organization

14

 Bangladesh Visits To RMCD

16

 Study Visit on International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) for the CLMV Countries

18

 Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Visits To RMCD

20

 Study Visit of Laem Chabang P/CCU, Thailand to Port Klang CCU, Malaysia

22

 Visit by MTCP: Visit By Delegation From Hamad International Airport (HIA), Doha, Qatar

24

To RMCD KLIA CAPACITY BUILDING  Malaysia-Thailand Cross Border Nuclear Security Exercise

25

 Malaysia National Workshop on Combating Illegal Trade in Chemicals and Waste

26

 RMCD’S Assistance to New WCO Asia/Pacific Vice-Chair

28

ASEAN  Integrated Border Management Workshop for the Implementation of pilot ASEAN Custom

30

Transit system (ACTS)

OUR STAFF  Director General of Customs Awarded Certificate of Appreciation to the

32

WCO Asia / Pacific Vice Chair Secretariat  Interview with Customs Attaché in Beijing, China - Mr. Misman Miskam

34

 Interview with Customs Attaché in Jakarta, Indonesia - Dr. Ishak bin Ismail

36

 Interview with Customs Attaché in Brussels, Belgium - Mr. Nik Ahmad Firdaus Che Abdul Aziz

38

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INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

EDITOR’S NOTE Editorial Team

Executive Advisory Group

 Dato’ Sri Khazali Haji Ahmad

 Dato’ Mohd Isa Endot

Dear Readers It is with great pleasure that I bring you the fifth edition of the International Affairs Bulletin. This

Editorial Director

 Radziah Abdul Razak

fifth edition highlights news and articles on the activities of the International Affairs Section which had taken place in July to December 2016.

During that two-year period as the WCO A/P Vice-Chair from July 2014 to June 2016, I trust that

Editor-in-Chief

 Sazali Mohamad

Malaysia has done a great job and significant contribution to the A/P region. It’s proven by the request of Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) the new WCO Vice-Chair for the Asia/

Pacific Region, two officers from Royal Malaysian Customs were deployed to assist in setting up

Editorial Publishing Team

the new WCO Asia/Pacific Vice-Chair Secretariat. In recognition of outstanding effort during Malaysia’s tenure as the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Vice-Chair Secretariat from July 2014 to June 2016, eleven officers had received the certificate of appreciation in

 Aminuddin Hamzah

conjunction with the New Year 2017 Mandate Ceremony with Dato’ Sri Khazali bin Hj. Ahmad,

 Ku Azizah Ku Daud

Director General of Customs. For that, I would like to congratulate the WCO Vice-Chair

 Ahmad Syukri Idris

Secretariat for an outstanding job.

 Rasha Afzal Shafii RMCD had signed the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Joint Action Plan and Road Map with China in November 2016. The Joint Action Plan and Road Map was signed by Dato’ Sri Khazali bin Hj. Ahmad, Director General of Customs Malaysia and Mr. Sun Yibiao, Vice Minister of GACC in conjunction with Y.A.B Prime Minister of Malaysia official visit to China.

In conclusion, I hope all of you will enjoy reading this issue and I always welcome any comments or feedbacks.

With warm regards.

Radziah Abdul Razak Editorial Director Page 3

 Mohd Badrulnizam Mohd Nasir

 Mohd Faizal Adaries Salleh

 Zureen Sofia Zakaria  Ressie Mohd Fauzie

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

IN FOCUS THE AUTHORISED ECONOMIC OPERATOR (AEO) MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT (MRA) JOINT ACTION PLAN AND ROAD MAP SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN RMCD AND GACC

Page 4

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

THE AUTHORISED ECONOMIC OPERATOR (AEO) MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT (MRA) JOINT ACTION PLAN AND ROAD MAP SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN RMCD AND GACC RMCD was represented by Director General The Joint Action Plan and Road The Delegation from RMCD was led of Customs, Dato’ Sri Khazali Bin Hj. Ahmad Map is a platform for realising the by Director General of Customs, while GACC was represented by Vice Mutual

Recognition

Arrangement Dato’ Sri Khazali bin Ahmad, other

Minister of GACC, Mr. Sun Yibiao. The which encompasses five (5) phases members of the delegation were historical signing ceremony was witnessed namely

Programme

Comparison, Customs

Attache

in

Beijing,

Mr.

by Y.A.B Prime Minister of Malaysia and H.E Joint Validation Visits, Assessment Misman Miskam and Mr. Mohd Faizal Premier Li Keqiang.

of AEO Programme, Conclusion of Adaries bin Salleh from International MRA and Technical Implementation. Affairs RMCD Headquarters.

The

step-by-step

important

to

approach

recognising

are both Mr. Sun Yibiao, Vice Minister of

countries AEO Programmes and GACC said the objective of the harmonising procedures.

the

customs meeting was to further enhance bilateral Customs

ties

between

the

Administrations.

two The

After the signing ceremony, RMCD bilateral ties between RMCD and accepted GACC invitation to a GACC is of significant importance as

courtesy call on Vice Minister of the volume of trade between Malaysia General Administration of Customs, and the People’s Republic of China People’s Republic of China (GACC) amounted to USD 76 Billion in 2015 Mr. Sun Yibiao.

and USD 62.3 Billion for the period of January to September 2016.

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) is a voluntary scheme

introduced

by World

Customs Organisation (WCO) under SAFE

Framework of Standards (SAFE FOS) to secure and facilitate global trade. The SAFE Framework sets forth the principles and the standards and presents them for adoption as a minimal threshold of what should be done

by WCO Members as regards balancing facilitation and control while ensuring the security of the global trade supply chain.

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INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

IN FOCUS

10TH BRUNEI DARUSSALAM - INDONESIA - MALAYSIA - PHILIPPINES EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA (BIMP - EAGA) HEADS OF CUSTOMS (HOC) MEETING

The 10th BIMP-EAGA Heads of Customs (HOC) Meeting was held on 16th

November 2016 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The Meeting was attended by BIMPEAGA officials, BIMP-EAGA

Business Council (BEBC) and BIMPEAGA Facilitation Centre (BIMP-FC)

T

he Malaysian delegation was headed by Dato’ Zulkifli Yahya, Deputy Director General (Customs and

GST), Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) and he was assisted by Mr. Ahmad Ji, the State Customs Director of Sarawak and Mr. Sazali Mohamad, Senior Assistant Director of Customs I, International Affairs Section, RMCD Headquarters.

The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Mohammad Mu’inuddin Chin bin Abdur Rahman, Acting Controller of Customs, The Royal Customs and Excise Department, Brunei Darussalam (RCED). In his opening remarks, Mr. Mohammad Mu’inuddin Chin welcomed all delegates to the 10th BIMP-EAGA Heads of Customs Meeting to Brunei Darussalam.

He mentioned that the meeting amongst others would discuss matters that relate to trade facilitation that would support the goals of BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 and he also highlighted the importance of improving customs processes and procedures in order to enhance regional projects.

Page 6

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

10TH BRUNEI DARUSSALAM - INDONESIA - MALAYSIA - PHILIPPINES EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA (BIMP - EAGA) HEADS OF CUSTOMS (HOC) MEETING

The BIMP-FC on behalf of the Chair of Customs,

d.

Workshop on Time Release Studies; and

Immigration, Quarantine and Security Working Group

e.

Establishment of CIQS facilities in Bantul,

th

(CIQS WG) presented the outcome of the 11 CIQS WG Meeting held on 2

nd

rd

-3

District of Nabawan, Sabah, Malaysia and

August 2016 in Manado,

Malinau, North Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Indonesia which amongst others highlighted on the 13 project ideations developed by the respective sectors.

The BIMP-FC also presented the BIMP-EAGA Vision

The five project ideas identified by the Customs sector

(BEV) 2025 Trade and Investment Sector strategy

were as follows:

which focus on three outputs namely:

a.

Establishment

of

an

Information

Sharing

i.

Mechanism for Illicit Drugs Trafficking in BIMPEAGA; b. c.

to facilitate cross-border trading; ii.

Conduct of Capacity Building for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO); Information Sharing on Port-to-Port trade data; Page 7

streamlined rules, regulations, and procedures Integrated SMEs in sub-regional supply/value chains within WBEC and GSSC; and

iii.

improved joint trade and investment promotion initiatives.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

10TH BRUNEI DARUSSALAM - INDONESIA - MALAYSIA - PHILIPPINES EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA (BIMP - EAGA) HEADS OF CUSTOMS (HOC) MEETING

Dato’ Zulkifli Yahya reported on the Time Release

He also highlighted that Malaysia had drafted a

Study (TRS) that Malaysia had conducted in which

concept paper on the conduct of a workshop on TRS

th

outcome of the studies was presented at the 9 BIMP-

training which would focus on dissemination of the

EAGA HOC Meeting. He also informed that Malaysia

right information on how to do proper and correct TRS

was currently conducting TRS on export via land and

so that a uniform and proper procedures could

sea modes in Johor (Johor Bahru, Tanjung Kupang,

used to detect bottlenecks in the cargo clearance

Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Pelepas).

processes.

Page 8

be

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

10TH BRUNEI DARUSSALAM - INDONESIA - MALAYSIA - PHILIPPINES EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA (BIMP - EAGA) HEADS OF CUSTOMS (HOC) MEETING Dato’ Zulkifli Yahya also mentioned that Malaysia was

Indonesia shared with

the Meeting on her

AEO

currently embarking on Pre-Arriving Processing which

implementation which had 24 certified AEO companies

was a requirement of the WTO Trade Facilitation

with the majority of them were from Sumatra and Jawa.

Agreement.

The Philippines informed that they had established Super Green Lane in Palawan and Mindanao.

During the discussion on the agenda item concerning

Private Sector Recommendations and Concerns

the

Malaysia informed that she had 56 AEO certified

BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) highlighted the

companies and

followings:

Japan and Hong Kong. Malaysia also mentioned that she was

a.

To established AEOs in Lahad Datu;

b.

To establish Free Economic Zone in Kudat in

c. d.

MRAs on AEO were concluded with

still negotiating MRA on AEO with China,

Thailand and Korea.

view of its close proximity with Palawan and to

At the conclusion of the meeting Malaysia agreed to

spur the economic growth in the area;

host the 11th BIMP-EAGA HOC Meeting in 2017.

To establish Barter Trade between Cotabato and

following day after the meeting Malaysia and Brunei

Bitung;

Darussalam take the opportunity to hold a meeting to

To allow transshipment activities in Tarakan,

discuss bilateral issues.

The

Indonesia; and

e.

To re-establish trading between Sabah and

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Mohammad

Mindanao.

Mu’inuddin Chin bin Abdur Rahman, Acting Controller of Customs, RCED and Dato’ Zulkifli Yahya, Deputy

Members took the opportunity to share trade facilitation

Director General (Customs and GST), RMCD. Among

initiatives that had been undertaken by their respective

the issues discussed in the meeting were draft TOR for

Customs

Single Inspection on Goods In-Transit, enforcement

Administration.

Brunei

Darussalam

presented on the: i.

Enhancement of Brunei Darussalam National Single Window (BDNSW);

ii.

Improved process on importation of halal frozen

meat; iii.

Group email for application of ports clearance for Methanol export;

iv.

Trading Across Borders website;

v.

Business Support Centre (BSC); and

vi.

Dialogue session and roadshows.

Page 9

assistance and cooperation on capacity building.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BULLETIN

IN FOCUS

26TH WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL CONTACT POINTS (RCP) MEETING

The Twenty-Sixth Meeting of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Contact Points (RCP) was held in Sigatoka, Fiji from 9th to 11th November 2016.

D

elegates from Australia, Bhutan,

The representatives from the WCO, the WCO

Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong China, Indonesia,

Regional Intelligence Liaison Office A/P (RILO A/

India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New

P) and the WCO Regional Office for Capacity

Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Sri

Building A/P (ROCB A/P) and Oceania Customs

Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam attended the

Organization (OCO) were also in attendance as

meeting. The delegation of Malaysia was represented

observers.

by Mr. Sazali Mohamad, Senior Assistance Director of Customs I, International Affairs Section, RMCD Headquarters.

Page 10

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BULLETIN

26TH WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL CONTACT POINTS (RCP) MEETING

The meeting was officiated by Fiji’s Permanent

ii.

Secretary for Economy Ms. Makereta Konrote. In her keynote speech, she welcomed all delegates to the 26

th

Heads Meeting; iii.

WCO A/P RCP Meeting. She expressed her

appreciation for the strong support and cooperation

Private Sector Engagement at Regional Development of Regional Strategic Plan 2018 – 2020;

iv.

given by members of the A/P region to the Vice Chair.

The Host Mechanism of RILO A/P NCP Meeting;

The meeting was then chaired by Mr. Visvanath Das,

v.

A/P Vice-Chair Nomination Mechanism;

Acting CEO, Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority.

vi.

Proposal to Develop a Terms Of Reference (TOR) for the WCO A/P Regional Heads of

Representing

the former Vice-Chair, Mr. Sazali

Mohamad gave a presentation on the activities and

Customs Administration; and vii.

RSP Survey of Member Responses.

initiatives undertaken by Malaysia as the former WCO A/P Vice Chair for the period of 2014 – 2016.

The meeting agreed to form three working groups

Following his presentation Fiji

acknowledged the

namely the Private Sector Engagement at RHCA

work done by former Vice- Chair and the guidance

2018 Working Group, the Development of Regional

given to the new Vice- Chair at the handover.

Strategic Plan 2018 – 2020 Working Group and the Regional Strategic Plan Review Working Group to

Among the agenda items

discussed during the

meeting were: i.

Progress of the Regional Strategic Plan 2014 – 2016; Page 11

carry out the respective works further during the intersession.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

VISIT & COURTESY CALL AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE (ABF) VISIT TO RMCD

O

n 21st December 2016, Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD)

received a courtesy call on Dato’ Indera Subromaniam Tholasy, Deputy Director General of Customs (Enforcement and Compliance) by three Australian Border

Force (ABF) attaches, Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The delegation was led by Ms. Sandra Jeffrey, Counsellor (Immigration and Border Protection) and she was accompanied by Ms. Rebecca Fraser and Mr. Niall Kerr, First Secretary (Malaysia, Philippines & Brunei Darussalam).

Page 12

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE (ABF) VISIT TO RMCD During the courtesy call the ABF attaches briefed Dato’ Dato’ Indera Subromaniam Tholasy expressed his great Indera Subromaniam Tholasy on the following issues:

appreciation to the ABF for the continuous support and cooperation given to RMCD especially on training and

 Australian Border Force’s 2020

offered to RMCD officers thus far.

Business Strategy  ABF current priorities in Malaysia and

ABF

2016/17

capacity

building opportunities offers to RMCD officers  Continuous cooperation between RMCD and ABF

Page 13

capacity building opportunities and technical assistances

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BULLETIN

VISITS/ COURTESY CALLS STUDY VISIT BY THE GAMBIA OFFICIALS AND WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

R

oyal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) received a study visit by a delegation from The Gambia

Officials and World Health Organization (WHO) from 4th to 5th October 2015. The Gambia Officials were led by Mr. Yankuba Darbo, Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority, and the other members of the delegation were Mr. Bakary Krubally, Principal Economist, Tobacco Tax Focal Point,Ministry of Finance & Economic, Gambia, Mr. Yahya Manneh, Deputy Director Policy Planning & Research, Gambia Revenue Authority, Mr. Omar Badjie, Manager Non-Communicable Diseases (National Focal Point), Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Gambia and Mr. Njobo Baldeh, Manager Customs Valuation, Gambia Revenue Authority. They were joined by two WHO officers namely Mr. Noureiny Tcha-Kondor, Project Officer (Tobacco Economics - WHO AFRO region), World Health Organization and Dr. Evan Blecher, Economist, Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization.

Page 14

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BULLETIN

STUDY VISIT BY THE GAMBIA OFFICIALS AND WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) The purpose of the visit was to learn how Malaysia has

existing relationship between both countries. Also present

reduced cigarette excise tax evasion and avoidance and how

during the courtesy call were Dato’ Indera Subromaniam A/L

Malaysia had used advanced fiscal mark on imported

Tholasy, Deputy Director General of Customs (Enforcement

cigarettes to improve the recognition of smuggled and duty

and Compliance), Dato' Hasnol Zam Zam bin Ahmad, Deputy

not paid cigarettes;

Director General of Customs (Management), Dato' Paddy bin Abd

The visit began with a meeting chaired by Dato’ Indera

Subromaniam A/L Tholasy, Deputy Director General of Customs (Enforcement and Compliance). He welcomed and thanked the delegation for choosing Malaysia to learn on tobacco taxation administration. During the meeting, officers from International Affairs Section presented an overview of RMCD. Officers from Customs Division,

Enforcement

Division

and

Procurement

Section

delivered

a

comprehensive

presentations

on

Administration

of

Imported

Tobacco/

Tobacco

Product,

Administration of Local Tobacco

Products,

Administration Stamp

-

of

Tax

Management and

Tax

Stamp System

Enforcement

on

Smuggling of Cigarettes.

Later on, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Director General of RMCD, Dato’ Sri Khazali Haji

Ahmad.

welcomed

He the

delegation and hoped for further cooperation in order to broaden the

Page 15

Halim,

Assistant

Director

General

of

Customs

(Enforcement) and Ms. Radziah Abdul Razak, Acting Director

of Corporate Planning Division.

On the second day, the delegation departed for the British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The delegation had the opportunity to learn about management of the tax stamp by the company.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

VISIT & COURTESY CALL BANGLADESH VISITS TO RMCD

The Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (IRB) together with RMCD had co-hosted a series of visits from the National Board of Revenue Bangladesh (NBR) to Malaysia. The visit were scheduled to be held on

the 6th and 20th April, 4th May and 27th July 2016. The main objective of the visit was to learn and share the Malaysian experience in handling the challenges in administration of indirect taxes.

Page 16

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

BANGLADESH VISITS TO RMCD

During the briefing sessions, representatives

part time or second employment, continuous

from Corporate Division, Integrity Section and

Business Process Reengineering (BPR) to plug

GST Division gave presentations on handling

loopholes and providing training and courses to

of Public Complaints, Consultations to clients,

the employees as well as in house counseling

Integrity

the

services. The delegates were also briefed on the

Bangladesh delegations on how Malaysia had

experience of Malaysia on the Goods and

come out with the internal campaigns and

Services

guidelines on acceptance of gifts, control over

implemented since 1st April 2015.

Page 17

and

GST.

They

briefed

Tax

(GST)

which

has

been

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

VISIT & COURTESY CALL STUDY VISIT ON INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS (IMTS) FOR THE CLMV COUNTRIES

On 29th September, 2017, fifteen participants of the MTCP International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) for the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam) Countries visited the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) in Putrajaya.

T

Page 18

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

STUDY VISIT ON INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS (IMTS) FOR THE CLMV COUNTRIES The purpose of the study visit was to study:



IMTS

data

validation

process,

quality

assessment;



Data dissemination process;



Linkage with Balance of Payment and National Account; and



Data sources information from Customs and Non-Customs.

During the short visit to the RMCD Headquarters the participants were given briefings on Overview of RMCD, Presentation of Customs Procedures & facilitations for traders and Customs Information System - SMK: The Malaysian Experience.

Page 19

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

VISIT & COURTESY CALL UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (URA) VISITS TO RMCD

U

ganda Revenue Authority (URA) paid a visit to the Royal

Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) on 18TH to 20TH July 2016. The URA

visits involved briefing at the department's headquarters on 18TH July 2016 and field trip to Westport, Port Klang and KLIA Cargo Complex on 19TH to 20TH July 2016. The 20 delegates from the URA consist of Customs and officials from various departments involved in developing Uganda Single Windows System.

Page 20

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (URA) VISITS TO RMCD

The visit was a benchmarking study tour by the Project Implementation Team URA to learn and share best practices

in

the

successful

implementation of electronic Single

Window. The purpose of this visit was to learn and exchange views on NSW / ASW, risk management, Customs Clearance Procedures and uCustoms.

In addition to the RMC, MITI and DagangNet were also invited to give briefings on the NSW and ASW system

and

challenges

while

ASYCUDA presented its ASYCUDA system.

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

VISITS/ COURTESY CALLS STUDY VISIT OF LAEM CHABANG P/CCU, THAILAND TO PORT KLANG CCU, MALAYSIA

U Page 22

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

STUDY VISIT OF LAEM CHABANG P/CCU, THAILAND TO PORT KLANG CCU, MALAYSIA

The visit enabled 6 officers from the P/CCU Laem Chabang, Thailand to spend 3 days observing

operations,

studying

and

benchmarking the procedures that have been established at CCU Port Klang. Thailand is the first country in the Southeast Asia region which

has adopted the CCP in January 2015.

CCP is a concept initiated by UNODC in 2003 and WCO is the co-executing agency of this program.

The objectives of CCP are;



To

assist

Governments

to

create

sustainable enforcement structures in selected sea ports in order to minimize the risk of shipping containers being exploited for illicit trafficking and other cross-border crimes;



To provide a comprehensive basis for joint port control in information exchange, intelligence,

and

the

use

of

risk

assessment techniques to identify highrisk consignment; and



To facilitate legitimate trade.

The program was officiated by The Honorable

Dato’ Paddy Bin Abd Halim, Assistant Director General of Customs (Enforcement) RMCD Headquarters. Representatives of Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore and Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur attended the Opening Session which was held on 23rd August 2016.

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BULLETIN

VISITS/ COURTESY CALLS VISIT BY DELEGATION FROM HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (HIA), DOHA, QATAR TO RMCD KLIA

A

delegation from Hamad International

Airport (HIA), Doha, Qatar visited Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on 24th October 2016.

The delegation comprised 15 senior officers from Drug

Enforcement Authority, Customs, Airport Security and Information Technology.

H

IA was in the process of procuring a Full Body

around 10.30 a.m. Upon security clearances, they were

Scanner equipment for passenger inspection. Therefore,

subsequently brought to the meeting room for a brief

as part of Proof of Concept, the purpose of the visit was to

presentation and Q & A session on the equipment and its

perceive the Live Operation of the Smith Detection’s Dual

functionalities.

View B-Scan 16HR DV Scanner Machine owned by RMCD, KLIA which was believed to be the most advanced

Shortly afterwards, the delegation were shown the live

technology in scanner machine to date. The live operation

operation of the Scanner Machine by RMCD officers. The

would help the delegation to familiarize themselves with

live operation used randomly selected KLIA passengers as

the equipment functionalities and capabilities.

well

as

HIA

delegates

who

volunteered

for

the

demonstration. As the end users, RMCD officers also Senior Customs officers and Customs officers from the

provided some useful information to the delegation in order

Passenger Inspection Section (Unit 1), RMCD KLIA

to enable them to make the procurement decisions. The

together with representative from RMCD Headquarters

visit ended around 1.30 p.m. with a lunch at the Sama-

welcomed the HIA delegation which arrived at KLIA

Sama Hotel, KLIA.

Page 24

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

CAPACITY BUILDING MALAYSIA-THAILAND CROSS BORDER NUCLEAR SECURITY EXERCISE

M

alaysia and Thailand are making

Among the participating agencies

two countries when dealing with

history as the first two countries to test

are the Malaysian National Security

unauthorised

the Joint Field Exercise draft module,

Council, Royal Malaysian Customs

materials out of regulatory control.

formulated by the International Atomic

Department, Malaysian Immigration

This intention also comes with the

Energy Agency (IAEA) expert team.

Department,

Armed

hope that the land border that we

Minister's

share is safe and secured from any

Series Technical Guidance document,

Department, Royal Thai Customs,

threat with regard to nuclear and

'Preparation, Conduct and Evaluation

Office of Atom for Peace (OAP),

radioactive materials.

of Exercise for Detection of and

Songkhla Provincial Government

Response to Acts involving Nuclear

and Royal Thai Police.

The module is called Nuclear Security Forces,

Malaysian

Prime

of

Relying on equipment to monitor

and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control' (NST050).

movement

would

not

be

eliminating

was to assess the effectiveness of

related to nuclear and radioactive

Both countries are taking part in the

the

material at the border of Malaysia

Joint Table Top Cross Border Nuclear

detection

architectures

Security Exercise in Alor Setar, Kedah

countries.

This

nuclear

security

illegal

in

The main purpose of this exercise national

all

effective

activities

in

both

and Thailand. The collaboration

was

not

with relevant agencies, sufficient

and Sadao, Thailand from 31 October intended to show what abilities we

funds and increased awareness on

event

st

until 4

th

November 2017 with 50

have but rather aimed to increase

nuclear and radioactive material

delegation members from Malaysia

mutual understanding between the

would help to achieve the mission.

and 26 from Thailand.

Page 25

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

CAPACITY BUILDING MALAYSIA NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON COMBATING ILLEGAL TRADE IN CHEMICALS AND WASTE

R

oyal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) and

Department of Environment (DOE) in collaboration with UNEP’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific organised a workshop on Combating Illegal Trade in Chemicals and Waste, held on 5 th -8th September, 2016. The workshop was attended by officers from RMCD, NRE, DOE, Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

The workshop was facilitated by experts from The Environmental Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Facility (TAIEF) namely Mr. Huib van Westen, Senior Inspector, Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, the Netherlands and Ms. Magdalena Kwarta, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Environment Agency, New York.

The objective of the workshop was capacity development focusing on;

 Skills: Identification of wastes and chemicals, risk profiling, and return procedures  Enforcement: best practices, institutional coordination  Collaboration: Between environmental authorities and other enforcement agencies, also internationally and with the EU The participants of the workshop were presented with the growing commitment to international collaboration for controlling illegal waste shipments. NRE and DOE as Malaysia’s competent authorities made presentation on the national implementation of the following international conventions:

 Basel Convention (1992): on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

 Stockholm Convention (2004): To eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Not yet ratified by Malaysia.

 Rotterdam Convention (2004): on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

The workshop linked compliance with these conventions to institutional collaboration among regulatory authorities (Customs, Environment, Police, etc.), and internationally with counterparts in the countries dispatching the illegal waste shipments. Participants were trained in best practices for the identification, risk profiling and handling of chemicals and waste.

Page 26

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

CAPACITY BUILDING MALAYSIA NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON COMBATING ILLEGAL TRADE IN CHEMICALS AND WASTE The workshop’s positive outcomes included:

 Appreciation of the need to eliminate market incentives behind illegal waste shipments:  EU waste managers avoided waste management fees by illegally exporting wastes  Raw material shortages in Asia coupled with the lure of empty containers returning to Asia stimulate illegal exports

 Repatriating wastes from Asia generated no revenue while auctioning confiscated wastes did  RMCD and the NRE appreciated the need for standard operating procedures for collaborating on these issues  The need for routines securing cooperation between the focal point for the Basel Convention and RMCD was emphasized

 General consensus among EU experts, World Customs Organization Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO AP) and RMCD to enhance information exchange on waste and chemicals shipments, including follow up on a real-time example identified during the workshop

 The group exercises, discussions and case studies used in this workshop provided a good training model for the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific

 Participant feedback described the workshop as an “eye-opener” for ending illegal shipments.

Page 27

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

CAPACITY BUILDING RMCD’S ASSISTANCE TO NEW WCO ASIA/PACIFIC VICE-CHAIR

A

t the request of Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority

(FRCA), the new WCO Vice-Chair for the Asia/Pacific Region, two officers from Royal Malaysian Customs were deployed to FRCA to assist in setting up the new WCO Asia/Pacific Vice-Chair Secretariat.

Page 28

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

RMCD’S ASSISTANCE TO NEW WCO ASIA/PACIFIC VICE-CHAIR

Mr. Sazali Mohamad and Mr. Rasha Afzal Shafii

iii.

former head and member of the Vice-Chair Secretariat

Developing and monitoring the Regional Strategic Plan;

respectively, conducted a three day workshop to share

iv.

Conducting regional meetings;

their knowledge and experience working at the Vice-

v.

Developing and maintaining the WCO A/P website;

Chair Secretariat for two years from July 2014 to July 2016.

The workshop was conducted at the FRCA

office in Suva. Fiji from 23

rd

th

- 25

and vi.

Publishing the WCO A/P Customs News.

August 2016 and

was attended by four members of the new Vice-Chair

The workshop was very successful in assisting the new

Secretariat namely Ms. Fane Vave

Vice-Chair Secretariat to understand their role and

(Director of

International Affairs), Mr. Josevata Qalubau, Ms. Salote

Karuya

Cakacaka

and

Mr.

Petero

Maivucevuce .

During the workshop Mr. Sazali Mohamad and Mr. Rasha Afzal Shafii presented and shared their knowledge of the following topics: i.

Role and responsibilities of the WCO Asia/ Pacific Vice-Chair;

ii.

Communication with members, WCO, ROCB A/ P and RILO A/P;

Page 29

responsibilities

as

well

as

making

the

necessary

th

preparation for the coming 26 Regional Contact Points meeting scheduled to be held in November 2016.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

ASEAN INTEGRATED BORDER MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PILOT ASEAN CUSTOM TRANSIT SYSTEM (ACTS)

TRANSIT FACILITATION EU’S SUPPORT TO ASEAN’S EFFORTS TO MAKE ASEAN ‘A SINGLE PRODUCTION BASE’ The ASEAN Customs Transit System or ‘ACTS’ has been developed by ASEAN Member States, with the technical assistance of ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE). The overall objective is: “to simplify and harmonize transport, trade and Customs regulations and to establish an effective, efficient, integrated and harmonized transit transport system in ASEAN.” The AFAFGIT signed by ASEAN Governments in 1998 and its 9 Protocols support the implementation of the ACTS. The 9 Protocols are;

    

Protocol 1 Designation of Transit Transport Routes and Facilities

   

Protocol 6 Railways Border and Interchange Stations

Protocol 2 Designation of Frontier Posts

Protocol 3 Types and Quantity of Road Vehicles Protocol 4 Technical Requirements of Vehicles Protocol 5 ASEAN Scheme of Compulsory Motor Vehicle Third-Party Liability Insurance Protocol 7 Customs Transit System Protocol 8 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Protocol 9 Dangerous Goods

Page 30

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL

INTEGRATED BORDER MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PILOT ASEAN CUSTOM TRANSIT SYSTEM (ACTS) The ACTS originated from Protocol 7, ‘Customs Transit The participants of both workshops were officers of the System’, of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the following agencies; Facilitation of Goods in Transit (AFAFGIT). Malaysia has signed Protocol 7 in Bangkok, Thailand on the 24th  Royal Malaysian Customs Department Headquarters , February 2015 and currently is in the process of ratifying Johor and Kedah the same.  Sadao Customs House, Thailand The Royal Malaysian Customs Department and The Ministry of Transport are the two main agencies responsible in the implementation of ACTS.

 ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE)  Ministry of Transport  Road Transport department  Land Public Transport Commission

The Integrated Border Management Workshop has been  Royal Malaysian Police Department conducted to familiarise relevant customs officers with  Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service Immigration the ACTS implementation. The first Integrated Border  Ministry of Foreign Affairs Management Workshop for the Implementation of ACTS was held in Gelang Patah, Johor Bahru on 3rd - 4th During the workshop the participants were briefed in detail August 2016, whereas the second workshop was held in about ACTS and the ACTS Pilot Project which should take Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah on 15th – 16th August 2016. place from October to November 2016.

Page 31

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

OUR STAFF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CUSTOMS AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO THE WCO ASIA/PACIFIC VICE-CHAIR SECRETARIAT

E

leven officers from the WCO Asia /Pacific Vice-Chair Secretariat were awarded with the Certificate of

Appreciation in conjunction with the New Year 2017 Mandate Ceremony with Dato’ Sri Khazali bin Hj. Ahmad, Director General of Customs. The recipient of the certificate of appreciation were as follows:

1) Ms. Nor Haziah binti Abd Wahab

3)

Mr. Aminuddin bin Hamzah Senior Assistant Director of Customs II

Director of Customs, WPKL (Former Deputy Director of Customs

International Affairs Section)

4)

Dr. Ku Azizah binti Ku Daud Senior Assistant Director of Customs II

2) Mr. Sazali bin Mohamad Senior Assistant Director of Customs I 5)

Mr. Ahmad Syukri bin Idris Senior Assistant Director of Customs II

Page 32

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CUSTOMS AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO THE WCO ASIA/PACIFIC VICE-CHAIR SECRETARIAT

6) Mr. Rasha Afzal bin Shafii Assistant Director of Customs

8)

Mr. Mohd Badrulnizam bin Mohd Nasir Assistant Director of Customs

10)

Ms. Ainshah binti Ariffin Customs Officer (Senior Level)

The event was held at Dewan Semarak Jati, Royal Malaysian Customs Headquarters, Putrajaya on 11th January 2017. The officers received the certificate of appreciation in recognition of their Page 33

7)

Ms. Masliza binti Mohd Nasir Assistant Director of Customs

9)Ms. Zureen Sofia binti Zakaria Assistant Director of Customs

11) Mr. Mohd Ezran Syah bin Salleh Customs Officer

outstanding effort during Malaysia’s tenure as the World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific Vice-Chair Secretariat from July 2014 to June 2016.

INTERNATIONAL BULLETI INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

OUR STAFF INTERVIEW WITH CUSTOMS ATTACHÉ IN BEIJING, CHINA - MR. MISMAN MISKAM How long have you been working with RMCD and what made you wanted to be a Customs Attaché in Beijing?

“I”

I

have been working for 17 years with RMCD in several divisions and branch. For me, working abroad as a Customs Attaché is the highest appreciation from the department and being a Customs Attaché is a unique opportunity unlike others in the headquarters or state offices. I am looking for greater challenging experience in a new culture and a new way of life. Immersing myself in a foreign environment requires flexibility and determination. With an aim to be more independent and gain strength of character.

What are your role and responsibilities as a Customs Attaché in Beijing?

A Customs Attaché in Beijing is bound with the role and responsibilities as follows;  Representing RMCD abroad in meeting and programs, organized by the WCO, RILO, and other international bodies relating to Customs matters.  Reporting in host country, and regional Customs activities.  Serve as liaison officer to foreign counterparts (host country and region) and work to engage these counterparts in an ongoing dialogue about Customs issues.  Conduct research and observations on the good practices of the Customs procedures implemented by host country and regional Customs administrations and submit relevant report to Headquarters.  Engaging and assisting in bilateral meetings with the host country and region on free trade agreement negotiations and other similar programs.  Assisting to secure and convey the intelligent information received from the host country or regional Customs administration about smuggling or fraud activities for immediate actions.  Serving as Customs advisors and technical assistance to the Malaysian Ambassador and performing ad hoc task as ordered from time to time.

What do you think are the most important skills and knowledge that a Customs Attaché should have to perform his task well?

To be effective working and living abroad as a Customs Attaché, you need a variety of skills and knowledge. As regards knowledges, you have to equip yourself with as much as possible about Customs matters, office administrations, and others.

Be thirsty for a new knowledge because the work environment abroad may be more challenging and competitive. Attend trainings and seminars that will upgrade your skills and knowledge.

Page 34

In general the skills list is as follows; i.

Firstly, skill to work independently and self-discipline. While in the host country, away from family and friends and perhaps head office supervision, you may not receive assistance for work or living. You must be able to work independently. ii. The skill of listening and observing. This skill will determine how much you will learn something in the host country or region. iii. The skill to be sensitive to others culture. Don’t make judgement in a difficult situation. Take a look at the situation from all perspective. iv. The skills of Second or third language. This is an extra advantage during the meeting or discussion with officers from counterparts when you know their language in the host country or region. v. Skills to control emotional stability and ability to deal with stress. The pressure of leaving your family and friends and working in a new situation is really great. Start learning to control your emotions now. vi. The skill of flexibility. One of the most important cultural adaptations is the ability to change the way you do things when the situation calls. Being flexible will facilitates you in fitting in with the culture. vii. The skill or sense of humor. It can help you adapt to difficult situations and build rapport with people around with you quicker. viii. The skill to adapt with culture shock. Knowledge about the host country, culture will help you recognize symptoms, deal with problems and adapt in a manner way. ix. The skill to adapt new technology and knowledge. You have to be fast and a lifelong learner for a new technology and knowledge in the host country.

INTERNATIONAL BULLETI INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

INTERVIEW WITH CUSTOMS ATTACHÉ IN BEIJING, CHINA - MR. MISMAN MISKAM How do you think your role and responsibilities could further be expanded?

From my observation and field research here, I found that the role and responsibilities of Customs Attaché can be expanded by strengthening the fundamental or framework of understanding and cooperation for both countries. By signing the agreement and memorandum between Malaysia and China could establish the good cooperation and a framework for further collaboration.

The agreement, such as Mutual Administrative Assistant (MAA) or Mutual Legal Assistant (MLA) is a platform on cooperation and exchange of information between both countries. From my observation, most of the countries who have Customs Attaché in Beijing have a bilateral agreement with China Government in Customs matters such as MAA or MLA. This kind of agreement and understanding are very strong ground for both countries to exchange information for the purpose of administrative or legal actions. Indirectly the Customs Attaché's role and responsibilities will expand when they have to serve all the requests made from both countries.

What are the most challenging part of your work and how do you address those challenges?

The most challenging part of my work in Beijing is when I have to work alone and become the reference in all Customs matters. The inquiry or questions will come from many sources and I have to entertain them correctly and timely.

Sometime, I have limited knowledges about certain things and that is the time to look for subject matter expert in Malaysia within reasonable time.

Additionally, the access to open source information in China is very limited and restricted by Government policy. To address this challenge I have to be more creative and proactive to look for alternative sources of information’s.

What aspect of your work as a Customs Attaché that you like and dislike the most.

The most interesting aspect of my work as Customs Attaché in Beijing is I can meet many Customs Attaché and other law enforcement officers from different Page 35

countries on a regular basis. We have Customs Attaché Club and Foreign Law Enforcement Club in China that consist of more than 100 memberships from all over the world. We have a very close relationship and will assist members at any time with information and experiences. It makes my job easier here and I learn many different cultures when meeting with them.

And the most dislike aspects of the work here are about the extreme climate in Beijing. I have to adapt myself to an extreme situation, this city has four discernible seasons - short windy spring, long hot summer, cool pleasant autumn but long chilly winter.

July and August temperatures can exceed 40’C (104 F). January can dip to -20’C (-4 F). There are frequent sandstorms in spring and haze all over the year. The movement and traveling are very limited during the said time and it doesn’t happen in Malaysia. But after all, in positive view, it is good for your life experience.

What are you advice to your fellow Customs officers who aspire to be a Customs Attaché in Beijing?

Be prepare. When you're working in an international environment like in Beijing, you need to make a real effort to understand the cultural backgrounds, beliefs and attitudes of the people around you. Do your homework about everything in China. Mandarin is essential to learn at a basic level. Easy for you to communicate with others during works or daily lives.

Next, due to very extreme climate in Beijing. You need to be strong and healthy. Make sure you and your family do regular check-ups of your health conditions before applying for this position. If you are free from critical illness than you are fit for working here.

Last but not least, try to understand and conquer the skills and knowledge that already highlighted in Question 3. Wish you best of luck and Xià cì zàijiàn.

INTERNATIONAL BULLETI INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

OUR STAFF INTERVIEW WITH CUSTOMS ATTACHÉ IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA - DR. ISHAK BIN ISMAIL

What are your role and responsibilities as a Customs Attaché in Jakarta?

As a Customs Attaché in Jakarta, my role and responsibilities are: 

Leading the administration of the Customs Attaché Office at the Embassy of Malaysia, Jakarta, Indonesia.



Attending meetings, seminars, forums and dialogues organized by other agencies in Jakarta as a representative from Royal Malaysian Customs.



Establishing

good

rapport

and

good

cooperation with Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), especially with the

International

Affairs

Division

and

Enforcement & Investigation Division.



Ensuring good relations and cooperation with all agencies at the Malaysian Embassy, Jakarta to ensure effective and efficient services.



Giving assistance, cooperation and customs facilitation

I



Providing assistance and cooperation to

Patkor-Kastima,

since 2nd of May 1995. I wanted to be a customs attaché

three countries with Customs Attaché Office to be offered (Brussels, Jakarta & Beijing).

Page 36

and

DJBC

to

facilitate

the

implementation of any programs such as

have been working with RMCD for more than 20 years,

experience of working in other countries. RMCD has only

organizations,

our services.

RMCD

because that is one of the opportunities for me to get the

agencies,

companies, travellers and public who need

How long have you been working with RMCD and what made you wanted to be a Customs Attaché in Jakarta?

to

Bilateral

Meeting,

Memorandum of Understanding etc. 

Performing any task as directed by the Director

General of

Customs

Ambassador of Malaysia, Jakarta.

and the

INTERNATIONAL BULLETI INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

INTERVIEW WITH CUSTOMS ATTACHÉ IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA - DR. ISHAK BIN ISMAIL

What do you think are the most

What aspect of your work as a

agencies. We must be ready to

important skills and knowledge

Customs Attaché that you like

work

that a Customs Attaché should

and dislike the most.

holidays. We should also be ready

during

weekends

and

to celebrate our Idul Fitri and Idul

have to perform his task well?

For the past 6 months, I have

Adha

The most important skills that a

been liking like all aspects of my

celebration and other celebrations

customs attaché should have to

works as a Customs attaché.

in other country and especially

communications skills. Knowledge in

What are you advice to your

customs

very

fellow Customs officers who

sometimes

aspire to be a Customs Attaché

important customs

is

because attaché

also

have

to

make

in Jakarta?

critical decision during meeting or discussion, especially with DJBC.

Someone who aspire to be a Customs Attaché should be ready

How do you think your role and

mentally and physically because

responsibilities could further be

we will be dealing with various

expanded?

type of people, organizations and

We should always perform our tasks beyond expectations and be creative to make sure that customs attaché always be seen as the important element in any events or programs.

What are the most challenging part of your work and how do you address those challenges?

Many people still don’t understand customs’ role and responsibilities in the country as well as in the embassy.

We

should

always

communicate with and also facilitate and help others. By doing this, others will realize our existence, role and responsibilities.

Page 37

Merdeka

Jakarta, we should be able to

perform his task well, of course is the matters

celebrations,

communicate in the local language.

S

INTERNATIONAL BULLETI INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

OUR STAFF INTERVIEW WITH CUSTOMS ATTACHÉ IN BRUSSELS - MR. NIK AHMAD FIRDAUS CHE ABDUL AZIZ How long have you been working with RMCD and what made you wanted to be a Customs Attaché in Brussels?

I

am approaching into my fourth year in RMCD. To be honest, I still remember the interviewer’s question during my interview for the Superintendent of Customs (Grade W41) post back in 2011.

At that time, the interviewer asked me “Are you willing to be posted anywhere?” and my answer was “I am ready to serve customs in all places including overseas since I have worked for private companies in Brunei and Dubai before”.

Now, here I am serving for RMCD in Brussels. I feel very honored and blessed with this great opportunity.

What are your role and responsibilities as a Customs Attaché in Brussels?

I am considered fresh in RMCD with limited experience particularly on Customs matters. Being the most junior officer at the post, I practically need to catch up things faster than what I have been doing back in Malaysia since Brussels is considered a busy assignment for Customs Attaché. Some of the roles and responsibilities include attending various meetings and receptions in WCO or any other international bodies, answering queries from public across Europe pertaining Customs procedures in Malaysia, participating in all events hosted by Embassy of Malaysia in Brussels and the most crucial part is writing reports.

Believe me it is far from glamorous!

Page 38

What do you think are the most important skills and knowledge that a Customs Attaché should have to perform his task well?

Apart from being Customs Attaché, we are the face of Malaysia abroad.

We have our Key Performance Indicators to meet, so we have to know everything like the back of our hand. Reading is a prerequisite as you have to be knowledgeable about a lot of things. Besides the need for a good command of English, competency in another foreign

language such as French and Dutch is very useful since both languages are the most widely spoken here by the communities. As we are serving in other part of the world, a good understanding of cross-cultural differences helps. On other hand, one need to know how to dress well and taught the finer points of dining as we represent Malaysia in various capacities. A lot of these things actually can be acquired during the Pre-Posting Orientation Course for Home-Based Staff at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) before we were posted.

INTERNATIONAL BULLETI INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

INTERVIEW WITH CUSTOMS ATTACHÉ IN BRUSSELS - MR. NIK AHMAD FIRDAUS CHE ABDUL AZIZ the Embassy of Malaysia in Brussels, I started to enjoy working and living here. Life has been great but bigger challenges are more to come.

What aspect of your work as a Customs Attaché that you like and dislike the most?

The interesting part of working as a Customs Attaché especially here in Brussels is we can sit down together with our Customs counterparts from all over the world and we can discuss about anything such as sharing stories on cultural heritages preservation in Morocco, GDP for Israel, a day in Rotterdam port or even how the football being played in the cold weather in Iceland. The list goes on. That is something extra special for me.

How do you think your role and responsibilities could further be expanded?

In my opinion, the roles and responsibilities could further be expanded by building a strong rapport and maintaining good networking with all people associated with us whether in Brussels or back in Malaysia. For example, an importation case was solved in a timely manner between Madagascar and Malaysia thanks to the cooperation between both Customs Attaché who sits next to each other in the WCO meetings and dissemination of information to RMCD Headquarters in Putrajaya. I believe Page 39

that a good networking is crucial as it will strengthen the relationship between Customs from different countries not only on official basis but also unofficial.

What are the most challenging part of your work and how do you address those challenges?

I arrived in Brussels on 26 November 2015 and soon after that I had to manage Customs Attaché office matters on my own since our PA was on maternity leave. It was hard to adapt in the beginning stages of my career in Brussels but with the help of my two senior officers and all staffs in

What are you advice to your fellow Customs officers who aspire to be a Customs Attaché in Brussels?

For those who aspire to be a Customs Attaché, working and living here in Brussels is pretty challenging especially with lots of works, difficulties and obstacles ahead. My advice is that Brussels is not a place for holiday. Be prepared both mentally and physically before coming here. After all, this could be once in a lifetime opportunity especially for RMCD officers to come and work in Brussels. Bonne chance!

INTERNATIONAL BULLETI INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS BULLETIN BULLETIN

Calendar of Events 2016 EVENT/ MEETING

PLACE

DATE

Visit and meeting with delegates C-TPAT: CustomsTrade Partnership Against Terrorism

RMCD Putrajaya

11 – 12 January

Strategic Trade & Export Control Training Meeting with UNODC

RMCD Putrajaya

5 February

Marriot Hotel, Putrajaya

11 – 12 February

Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur

8 – 10 March

17th WCO A/P Regional Heads of Customs Administration (RHCA) Conference

Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

14 – 18 March

Private Sector Engagement Forum

Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

16 March

MRA AEO Malaysia - USA Meeting 12th TWG – ACTS Meeting

Bilateral Meeting Malaysia - Thailand

RMCD Putrajaya

Bilateral Meeting Malaysia - Indonesia

Sutera Harbour Hotel, Kota Kinabalu

18 – 21 April

24th ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Customs (CCC) Meeting

Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

3 – 5 May

Meeting with Japan Customs

NCC, Cyberjaya

4 May

Meeting with Australian Border Force

RMCD Putrajaya

13 May

Meeting on Cooperation for AEO MRA between RMCD and Korea Customs Service (KCS)

RMCD Putrajaya

15 - 16 June

ICAO - WCO Joint Conference on Enhancing Air Cargo Security and Facilitation

Sama Sama Hotel, Sepang

26 - 28 July

Gelang Patah, Johor

3 - 4 August

Equatorial Hotel, Pulau Pinang

17 - 19 August

Shangri La Hotel, Putrajaya

21 – 22 September

ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS) Workshop 21st JCC Malaysia – Thailand Meeting APEC Pre-Arrival Processing Workshop

5 April

ROYAL MALAYSIAN CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT International Affairs Section, Corporate Planning Division, Level 7 North, Ministry of Finance Complex,No.3, Persiaran Perdana, Precinct 2, 62596 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA. Phone : +603 8882 2374 Fax : +603 8889 5861 Page 40