KUALA LUMPUR – Maritime industry expert Datuk Seri R. Jeyenderan has questioned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the status of a report he lodged in June concerning alleged discrepancies between bills of lading and the physical movement of petroleum cargo at Tanjung Langsat, Johor.
The Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Network Sdn Bhd said that although he had visited the MACC office several times and submitted the documents requested, he had yet to receive a final written explanation regarding the status of the report.
He said he had received four emails and one short message service (SMS) from the MACC informing him that the matter was under “MACC Action”.
“I received four emails beginning in June and an SMS in September stating that the case was under ‘MACC Action’, but it has now been four months and there is still no final decision regarding the report.
“Why does the MACC continue to remain silent on this issue? Why does it appear that cases involving politicians are given special attention, while issues involving international maritime trade still do not receive a clear answer?” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Jeyenderan said he was not seeking special treatment from the authorities but merely wanted to know whether the report was still under investigation or had been closed.
“Just tell us whether the case is NFA (No Further Action) or still under investigation. If it is still being investigated, say so. If it is NFA, say so.
“Do not continue to remain silent. We just want to know the status of this report,” he said.
He said the report, lodged on June 5, concerned alleged discrepancies between the bill of lading and the physical movement of petroleum cargo at Tanjung Langsat.
He said the issue should not be viewed merely as a local commercial matter as it involved international petroleum cargo, trade documentation, Customs procedures, cargo traceability and government revenue.
“The MACC remains silent and Customs also remains silent. We are talking about an international petroleum trade issue involving cargo worth more than RM220 million, yet until now there has been no proper written explanation regarding the regulatory position on this matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jeyenderan also questioned the written position of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) regarding Customs’ treatment of the cargo.
He said several matters still required clarification, including the handling of petroleum cargo declared under the K8 procedure, the unloading and storage process in onshore tanks, as well as whether the mixing or blending of the cargo with existing stock was permitted and subject to specific approvals or documentation.
“How can businesses, traders and international players have confidence in this system if the authorities do not provide a clear position on the applicable procedures and requirements?
“We met with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) last week. They concluded that no duty was imposed on the cargo as presented. But until now, no authority has provided any explanation in writing,” he said.
Jeyenderan said his side had provided the documents and information requested by the authorities and understood that certain information might not be disclosed if the investigation was still ongoing.
However, he said a clear written position should be provided when legally permitted in order to give certainty to industry players.
He said the prolonged uncertainty could potentially affect parties directly involved as well as Malaysia’s reputation as a trade and maritime hub, particularly when it involved international petroleum cargo worth more than RM220 million.
Jeyenderan stressed that he would continue seeking clarification through the proper channels and that his request was to obtain certainty regarding the applicable procedures and documentation requirements, rather than to seek a decision that would favour his company. – DETIK MALAYSIA
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