Ops Hazard: DOE Compounds 214 Premises, Strengthens Scheduled Waste Enforcement - Arthur
PUTRAJAYA, April 10 (Bernama) -- The Department of Environment (DOE) issued 214 compound notices to premises for environment-related offences through the implementation of a series of special Ops Hazard 1.0 to 3.0, which ended on Wednesday (April 8).
Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the compounds were issued for various offences under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 as a result of an integrated nationwide operation conducted in stages.
He said that of the total, 35 compound notices were issued under Ops Hazard 1.0, followed by 78 under Ops Hazard 2.0 and 101 under Ops Hazard 3.0.
"The Ops Hazard 1.0 to 3.0 series is not merely a routine operation but a warning to all parties. With amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127), we now have stronger legal authority,” he said in a statement today.
Arthur said Ops Hazard 1.0, which focuses on detecting illegal sources, successfully uncovered illicit electronic waste (e-waste) storage facilities in remote industrial areas and identified the chain of disposal without permits.
"A total of 17 compounds amounting to RM34,000 were issued for various offences under the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 and the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The total fines upon conviction under this Act amounted to RM193,000,” he said.
Arthur said the operation continued under Ops Hazard 2.0 to curb the illegal processing of scheduled wastes, especially e-waste.
"As a result, 69 premises were inspected, with 42 investigation papers opened under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. Of the total, 75 compounds were issued with a value of RM150,000,” he said.
He said the success proved that the DOE is not just going after illegal outdoor disposal but also tightening discipline in factories.
Meanwhile, Arthur said Ops Hazard 3.0 had its biggest success when about 4,714 tonnes of e-waste, valued at over RM23.79 million, were seized in simultaneous operations in several states to curb large-scale illegal e-waste processing activities.
"The seizures involved 104 factories in 11 states nationwide. The DOE issued 101 compound notices totalling RM202,000. The success of Ops Hazard 3.0 reflects the ministry's transparency in safeguarding environmental sovereignty,” he said.
Arthur said the presence of the DOE in such operations was crucial for preparing comprehensive technical investigation papers, thereby ensuring every pollution case is fairly and accurately assessed.
He said the move was in line with the gazetted amendment to Act 127, which provides for stricter punishments, including fines of up to RM10 million or imprisonment, to better protect environmental sustainability.
"The NRES remains committed to ensuring Malaysia is free from becoming a waste disposal site, in addition to ensuring that all domestic waste is managed responsibly,” he said.
Arthur said the DOE will intensify enforcement operations to ensure there is no room for masterminds of illegal environmental activities to encroach on the nation's sovereignty.
-- BERNAMA
