More DOE Officers, Special Port Branch To Tackle Illegal E-waste - NRES

BANGI, April 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) will increase Department of Environment (DOE) officers and set up a special port branch to strengthen enforcement against illegal electronic waste (e-waste) entering the country.

Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the application to increase DOE officers is currently being processed, and a proposal paper will be submitted to the Cabinet soon.

"We are working on two fronts. First, to establish a special DOE branch in the port areas. Second, to increase the number of officers.

“With this, we can meet the growing manpower demand for an ever-increasing workload," he told reporters after officiating the 51st DOE Enforcement Day celebration here today.

When asked whether Malaysia remains a destination for illegal e-waste dumping, Arthur acknowledged that the risk still exists, but emphasised that enforcement will be tightened at all entry points to prevent such materials from coming in.

"We are also continuously carrying out integrated operations with other agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police," he said.

On the revelation that e-waste syndicates are leveraging networks of industry players, he said the matter is already on DOE's radar, and inspections at all factories will be stepped up.

"We are also involved in Ops Hazard, where we visit premises, especially illegal factories," he added.

Previously, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said police do not rule out the possibility that illegal e-waste processing may be run by syndicates with connections among industry players themselves.

He revealed that the integrated Op Hazard 3.0, conducted nationwide since 6 April, has recorded RM582 million in total seizures and confiscations, with 515 individuals detained.

-- BERNAMA