By Azlan Othman

This figure ($103 million) shows there is no drastic change compared to 2002, which is almost similar to those received in 2003, official statistics from the Department revealed.

The revenues collected were from car import duty, tobacco and others (which include the confiscation of contra-band goods smuggled to the country like dubious meat, alcohol and auction of cars seized from the smuggling activities).

The revenue from car import tax alone stood at around $56 million while those from cigarettes contributed to $24 million.

Others contributed to the remaining $22 million.

During the ceremony to mark the World Tobacco Day 2004 recently, the Minister of Health underscored that the import figure of tobacco from 1997 to 2003 did not show any drastic change.

In 1997, tobacco import value stood at $23 million. The value was similar in 2001 and 2002 but rose to $24 million in 2003. The ratio of this import value to the country's population is surprisingly high as compared to other countries with bigger population.

As for the breakdown, petrol car revenues exceed those diesel or semi-diesel types. There were around 8,000 brand new petrol cars and 700 used cars imported last year with revenues totalling close to $37.5 million.

Meanwhile for diesel and semi-diesel types, there were 2,900 new cars and 200 used cars sold last year with revenues totalling the remaining $18.5 million.

For petrol cars, vehicles with engine capacity below 2000 cc contributed the highest revenue totalling $15 million.

Altogether, there were around 3,000 new petrol cars and nearly 300 used cars being sold last year, the statistics from the Department revealed.

Cars below 1500 cc with $7.5 million followed it. The lowest revenue collected was from cars below 1000 cc with $1.8 million.

Meanwhile for diesel and semi-diesel types, cars above 2500 cc recorded 1,600 sales (for new cars) and 25 (for used cars) with revenue totalling $10 million.