A deputy Minister informed the Legislative Assembly that jewellery imported personally is not dutiable, as opposed to items imported commercially. Legally speaking he is correct and was no doubt following a brief provided by the Customs Department.

However, in the case which gave rise to the query the facts are quite different.  It seems that a Lebanese jeweller brought or sent valuable items of jewellery to Rosmah Mansor, presumably “on approval”; a common practice in his trade. It seems that there was no question of Rosmah passing through Customs carrying these items so they must have come in via a carrier of some sort. Did the Deputy Minister look into that?

Malaysia has enough financial problems from the criminal BN regime without giving it Customs exemption to which they are not entitled. Probably the deputy Minister was badly briefed?  He should enquire more deeply to make certain that no further criminal offences have been committed.