The Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim, shed some light on a pending issue regarding cross-border vehicle smuggling syndicate, which was posed by YB Awg Hj Ramli bin Hj Lahit recently.

According to the minister, appropriate actions have been imposed for all border control posts in preventing such incidents by boosting collaboration among other enforcement agencies as well as operating on public tip-offs for any cases of stolen vehicles.

"We (the Royal Customs and Excise Department) have gathered information that most vehicle smuggling cases are operated by a modus operandi and these culprits used sleek methods to pass border security such as using a false licence plate," he noted.

The minister also stated that the border control posts abide with strict procedures similar to those practised on international standards.

For every vehicle passing in and out of Brunei, said the minister, the driver (or passenger) is required to fill up the necessary documentation.

"The rule also stated that for every vehicle, driven by a different person, except the owner, a valid permission letter must be produced. This is, among others, to ensure the ownership of the vehicle, prevent cross-border vehicle smuggling as well as (with the proper documents) to allow smooth traffic flow crossing the border control post," he added.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin