Web service to net Customs RM12bil a year

Published by The Star (In-Tech)

PUTRAJAYA: The Royal Malaysian Customs expects its tax collection to increase to well over RM12bil a year with the launch of its Internet-based customs duty payment service DutyNet. 

The service that is aimed at making it easier for the agency to collect the taxes, Customs said. 

About RM1.8bil worth of Customs duty is collected annually now via Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd's Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system. 

The EFT service was launched in 1997 and is supported by nine banks in the country. It was the first commercially successful EFT service in the world. 

DutyNet's debut marks the migration of the EFT service to the Internet platform, said Dagang Net. 

Information and communications technology is an important means for government agencies to enhance their effectiveness in dealing with business communities, said Customs director-general Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abdul Mutalib. 

"Transactions via DutyNet are processed in real-time," he said. "Users are assured of data integrity and confidentiality because the service deploys best practices in digital certification and encryption technology." 

The service is linked to Dagang Net's eDeclare portal and Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Bhd's Internet business banking portal, Bizchannel. The bank is Customs' financial service partner in the initiative while Dagang Net is the technology partner.  

"DutyNet is testimony that diverse organisations can pool resources and expertise to achieve a common goal of greater efficiency in service delivery," said Abu Bakar Buyong, Bumiputra-Commerce's executive vice-president of business banking. - AHMAD ZUBER IBRAHIM