According to New Straits Times, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said that such a situation was not impossible, given that even rice from Thailand is smuggled into Malaysia due to its lower price.

"That said, the authorities are very thorough with their raids and inspections, which is how the illegally-imported chicken was discovered in the first place.

"One or two cases such as these may slip through the cracks every now and then because we are not perfect - all organisations have weaknesses.

"The important thing is to rectify and improve the situation," he told a press conference.

Mr Tajuddin was referring to a report by a local daily, whereby a joint operation had successfully uncovered about 60 boxes of illegally-imported chicken parts from several premises in the state.

The Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department-led raid found that the boxes, apparently imported from the United States, bore unrecognised 'halal' logos.

Earlier, Mr Tajuddin officiated a 'Ramadan Iftar' programme alongside delegates from Wanita Umno Sabah.