The Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Johor is targeting to raise revenue from the goods and services tax (GST) in the state this year.

The Johor Customs deputy director (Customs Division), Mohamad Hamiddan Maryani, said Johor had the third highest collection in the country with a value of RM3 billion since the implementation of the GST on April 1, last year until July this year.

"We are confident of exceeding the existing collection based on the indicators outlined as well as giving awareness on the importance of paying GST.

"In addition, we may exceed the positions of the Federal Territory and Selangor which were in the first and second spots in terms of GST collection," he said.

He disclosed this in his speech at the prize-giving ceremony for the 'Jom Minta Resit GST' contest for the Second Series at the Customs Tower, here today.

He said the latest collection had exceeded the stipulated indicator outlined, but it was still too early to disclose the latest revenue collection figures.

Meanwhile, 17 participants of the 'Jom Minta Resit GST' contest for the Second Series received various prizes such as electronic products, smart phones and home utensils.

The second series of the contest was between June and July while the third series begins this month until September.