Customs Dept Urged To Embrace Challenges
By CT Hj Mahmod

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Customs and Excise Department were not only reminded of their important role and responsibility towards their nation, but were also urged to uphold it's continuous efforts in enhancing it's efficiency and effectiveness towards delivering their services, during yesterday's International Customs Day celebration.

Speaking on the importance of their role was Dato Paduka Hj Abd Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance. He said, "The role of customs is getting more challenging and more sophisticated, especially in meeting today's need, mainly in balancing both the security as well as the smooth facilitation of the clients' services."

He also reminded of the department's responsibility in guarding the nation's security in the affairs of restricting contraband goods from entering into the country, and as an agency of His Majesty's government. The department is also responsible in the affairs of tax collection of imported goods.

However challenging their role may be, he underscored that it must be implemented with full the responsibility which is entrusted upon the department, based on the laws and regulations enforced.

Also speaking yesterday was Pg Hj Naserudin bin Pg Hj Tejudin, Acting Controller of the Royal Customs and Excise.

He spoke on the International Customs Day, which carried the theme `Custom's Role in the Protection of Society', stating the roles of today's customs, which was traditionally known for tax collection, is now more challenging in protecting the society from negative social issues, the threat of epidemic diseases, natural disasters, as well as criminal activities and terrorism.

These global challenges calls for the need to enhance a the department's commitment, efficiency, service quality, as well as the need to change the mindset and high discipline among the officials.

For this, the department has facilitated a vision and mission with the main strategy to update legislation, regulations and work procedure as well as the technique of custom's services, which is inline with the practice of international customs.

The highlight of yesterday's celebration, which was held at the Customs and Excise building, was the launching of their new updated website, which was officially launched by Dato Paduka Hj Abd Rahman, the guest of honour.

The new updated website consists of updated information, which is beneficial to clients globally.

An award presentation and the presentation of certificate souvenirs to recently retired officials was also held. This is the 4th International Customs Day celebrated by the Royal Customs and Excise department, since it's membership of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) since 1996. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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