A Netherlands-bound radar system worth millions of ringgit has been reported missing from Tanjung Pelepas port in Johor.

According to The Star today, the consignment in transit from Australia had been held by the Customs Department awaiting the required documents from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti).

The daily noted that the high-tech military equipment shipment arrived last month in one container, without the necessary Miti permits for military equipment under the Strategic Trade Act 2010.

It was also reported that a recent audit check found the classified material could not be located at the port, and a police report was then lodged.

"The authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the consignment could have been loaded onto another vessel and shipped off to the Netherlands discreetly to avoid further problems," wrote The Star, citing a source.

It added authorities said it would be difficult to remove the shipment from the port by ground transport "because of strict checks at the entry and exit points of the port".

Agencies including Customs and Miti are investigating the disappearance, while Customs assistant director-general (enforcement) Paddy Abd Halim added an internal investigation is also under way.

Meanwhile, Berita Harian quoted Customs director-general T Subromaniam as confirming that the radars did not have a Miti permit.

Subromaniam however declined to confirm whether or not the shipment was indeed missing.

He was also quoted as saying that the Customs Department had not ruled out the possibility that "certain quarters" had allowed the shipment in without the necessary paperwork.