Can we let tis ppl go scot-free?

I forgot to pay duty, says politician

By SIRA HABIBU

ALOR STAR: “Oops, I forgot.”

This is the excuse given by one of the prominent politicians who have flouted Customs regulations by using a duty-free Nissan van on the mainland without paying duties.

“A Customs officer did remind me sometime this year to settle the duty by end of this year but I forgot. Thank you for reminding me,” said the politician when contacted yesterday.

The politician took the duty-free van from Langkawi about nine years ago. He said the van was actually used by the spouse for commercial purposes. The van needed to be overhauled several years ago and was sent to the workshop for repairs.

“However, many of the car parts were stolen and as such we had left it in the workshop for years,” she said.

The politician promised to send a letter to the Customs department soon to resolve the matter amicably.

“I will pay the duty,” he said.

Another prominent politician who was implicated said he had submitted a letter to the Customs director-general stating his intention of paying duty and keeping the duty-free Harley Davidson.

It was reported in The Star on Monday that two prominent politicians were among several VVIPs who have yet to pay duty after the vehicles were taken out of the duty-free island.

They are among the 79 people who have breached Clause 21 (1) of the Customs Duty Order (Exemption) 1988 by keeping vehicles away from the duty-free island for more than a month in a year.

Adopted from TheStar dated 26 September 2007

COMMENT:
he better sound like; Oops, i forgot that murder is a crime in Malaysia