Negeri Sembilan Police Bust Illegal e-waste Ops Worth RM47.6 Mln

SEREMBAN, May 13 (Bernama) -- Negeri Sembilan police have busted illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing operations, with seized items estimated to be worth more than RM47 million, following separate raids on three factory premises in the district over the past two months.

Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the raids, conducted under Ops Waste, were the result of continuous intelligence gathering by police and related agencies.

He said one raid was carried out at an industrial premises in Nilai on April 15, while two others were conducted in Kuala Sawah on May 6.

During the Nilai raid, two local men, aged 43 and 37, believed to be caretakers of the premises, were detained to assist in investigations. No arrests were made during the Kuala Sawah operations.

"The Department of Environment (DOE) seized suspected e-waste materials and 39 machines, with the total value estimated at more than RM47.637 million. They also detected three offences under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Amendment) 2024," he said at a press conference here today.

Also present was Negeri Sembilan DOE director Abdul Aziz Parmin.

Alzafny said the Seremban City Council (MBS) also issued compounds under Section 53(1), Section 55(1) of the Advertisement By-Laws and Section 81(K), and ordered all three premises to cease operations immediately for operating without valid approvals and licences.

He said the integrated operation involved the Internal Security and Public Order Department of the Negeri Sembilan Police Contingent Headquarters, the Negeri Sembilan DOE, Seremban City Council and the Negeri Sembilan office of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.

Police and the relevant agencies will continue monitoring and intelligence operations to curb illegal e-waste processing activities, which could threaten public safety, public health and the environment, he said.

In a separate development, Alzafny said police would continue monitoring social media for comments containing elements of provocation, incitement or interference that could disrupt public order in the state in relation to the ongoing crisis in Negeri Sembilan.

He said police are finalising investigation papers to be submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office for further action.

-- BERNAMA