Malaysia uncovers at least 106 containers of e-waste in ports, vows stricter enforcement

KLANG: At least 106 containers filled with electronic waste (e-waste) have been found in Malaysia’s ports over the past three months with close to another 200 containers also suspected to contain the same, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said that the Customs Department had seized 301 containers suspected of containing e-waste from March 21 to June 19.

Of the 301 containers, Nik said 106 containers so far have indeed been found to be filled to the brim with e-waste and scrap metal which he revealed were almost entirely from developed countries such as the United States.

“Unfortunately, many officials in some of these countries believe their e-waste is being processed in an environmentally-friendly and ethical manner but don’t realise their waste is being sent to developing countries for processing.

“Many of these containers are then falsely declared under different categories,” he said during a working visit to Westport here on Wednesday (June 26).

Nik Nazmi said that a joint operation of arrests and inspections had since been undertaken by the relevant agencies across multiple ministries.

“For containers with e-waste, the cases are currently under investigation by the Environment Department (DOE) under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127),” he said.

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Under Section 34B of the Act 127, illegal dumping of scheduled waste onto Malaysian land or into its waters will result in a maximum fine of RM500,000, five years’ jail or both.

To help in this regard, Nik revealed that the recently passed the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2023 earlier in March to amend Act 127 would come into effect starting July 7.

The amendments will include increased penalty rates and fines with a minimum fine range of not less than RM5,000, maximum fines not exceeding RM10mil, and mandatory imprisonment not exceeding five years.

As for the remaining 195 containers, Nik Nazmi said they are suspected to contain scrap metal and are under investigation by the Customs Department under Section 135 (1a) of the Customs Act 1967 for import of prohibited items.

Nik Nazmi also acknowledged public concerns and complaints that current measures were insufficient to deal with the current situation, adding that he would bring the issue up with the Cabinet.

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“I will both discuss the recent findings with the Cabinet as well as how to improve enforcement as this issue involves multiple ministries.

“The ministry fully understands the need for a united joint effort from both the federal and state levels to overcome this issue.

“Meanwhile, the ministry will continue to strengthen its monitoring and enforcement efforts in regards to the importation of e-waste used by the recycling industry.

“Strict punishment will be considered against involved prepretrarors of any misconduct to ensure our country is not used as a hazardous waste disposal site by irresponsible parties,” he added.

Previously on May 3, The Star reported that the Selangor DOE had busted 18 containers docked at Westport filled with e-waste with 11 other containers filled with plastic waste and other varieties of scrap.