PKFZ former chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said the zone was a ‘gold mine’ as it functions as a warehouse and storage area for goods brought into the country via Port Klang.

“Companies stock their goods there before they are sent out. This gives room for wrongdoings,” he said.

He said such situations created an opportunity for illegal activities especially during off peak hours.

Lee’s comments followed the arrest of 12 Customs officers by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday on suspicion of large-scale smuggling at PKFZ.

“The free zone area is fenced from the entrance and the Customs is in control of the entire area,” he said.

He said even during his tenure as Port Klang chairman between 2009 to 2011 all entry points to the free trade zone were heavily guarded by the Customs while auxiliary police served as back up.

“Security screening was strict that even I, as chairman, was required to register and collect a pass at the checkpoint to get into the area. I feel there is too much control by one party.”

He said although Customs officers were on duty at entry points such as airports and smaller ports, the situation in PKFZ was different due to the nature of the operations.

“There should be shared responsibility between other agencies to prevent illegal activities.”

He suggested officers at PKFZ be rotated to reduce the risk of crime.

Lee said the authorities should learn from the lax security that allowed liquor and cigarette smugglers to operate freely to ensure such cases did not recur.

“There are investors who rely on the facilities at PKFZ and such wrongdoings will only mar the credibility and image of the facility,” he said.