DOE Strengthens Cooperation With Agencies To Combat Illegal E-waste Activities

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The Department of Environment (DOE) is enhancing its collaboration with the Customs Department, local authorities and the police to conduct inspections of illegal factories processing electronic waste (e-waste).

Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said that continuous efforts would be made with relevant agencies to curb the illegal entry of e-waste at the country’s ports.

“E-waste is classified as hazardous and scheduled waste under the Basel Convention and transferring such waste from one country to another violates international laws.

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“The dumping of e-waste within the country occurs due to the illegal entry through false declarations and being sent to illegal factories. This has become a major issue recently,” he said during an interactive session with the media here today.

Wan Abdul Latiff said there are 17 e-waste factories and 106 partial e-waste factories licensed until April 30, 2025, while 42 factories operate illegally across the country.

The Basel Convention is an international treaty that regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes through the principle of Prior Informed Consent (PIC). Exporting countries must submit notifications and obtain written consent from importing nations before any cross-border movement occurs.

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Regarding illegal factories in Telok Gong, Klang Selatan, Wan Abdul Latiff said that 23 were flagged as illegal, but checks found that only three are operating illegally for plastic recycling and processing used tyres.

On the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, which was gazetted on June 6 and came into force on July 7, he said the increase in fines and mandatory imprisonment is expected to reduce cases of environmental pollution.

Key points of the amendment include stricter penalty provisions, with minimum fines set at RM5,000, a maximum fine not exceeding RM10 million and an increase in the compound amount from not exceeding RM2,000 to not exceeding 50 per cent of the maximum fine.

Additionally, mandatory imprisonment of not more than five years will be imposed for offences related to the illegal disposal of scheduled waste, water pollution and non-compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reporting requirements.

-- BERNAMA