PORT KLANG: The government has successfully dismantled a major illegal waste import syndicate in Malaysia, seizing 106 containers filled with e-waste, along with several others containing scrap metal.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said this success results from coordinated inspection and detention efforts by relevant agencies on 301 containers suspected of carrying e-waste that had arrived in Malaysia.
He said the operation was based on information received by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department from March 21 to June 19.
"For containers involving e-waste, the cases are still under investigation by the Department of Environment under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
"Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 addresses offences related to the disposal of scheduled waste on land or into Malaysian waters, as well as the transit or permitting the transit of e-waste without the approval of the Director-General of Environment.
"If found guilty, the offense is punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to RM500,000, or both," he said in a press conference today following a working visit to Port Klang regarding the issue of e-waste container entry.
The remaining containers, suspected of containing scrap metal, are still under investigation by Customs under Section 135(1a) of the Customs Act 1967.
This is due to the importation of prohibited goods under Item 5 of the Fourth Schedule, Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.
"All importation of scrap metal must follow the procedures outlined by Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) where the importer must obtain a Certificate of Approval (COA) from Sirim," he added.
Nik Nazmi said the syndicate used false documentation to import waste for recycling, mainly from the United States.
Illegal waste was smuggled through significant ports and borders using containers with false declarations.
"The syndicate also frequently used middlemen or 'front' companies (fake companies) to manage waste imports. This makes it difficult to detect and capture the real masterminds behind these operations."
He said Malaysia remains committed to strengthening enforcement through integrated inspection actions and continuously enhancing cooperation with international organisations to curb these syndicate activities.