KOTA KINABALU: A total of 58 individuals have been arrested by the Sabah General Operations Force (GOF) after being caught with RM65.1mil worth of electronic waste during a nationwide operation on Saturday (Feb 15).
Sabah GOF commander Datuk Abdul Rani Alias said the operation, codenamed Ops Hazard, was carried out in collaboration with the Environment Department to target activities violating permit conditions.
"Twelve premises across the state suspected of violations were inspected. Two were found operating without permits while others breached conditions outlined in their environmental permits," he said, adding that the premises were inspected over suspected violations of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
"Of the 58 individuals detained, 11 are Indonesians, three Filipinos and 44 are locals, including seven women," he said.
Abdul Rani also confirmed that further investigations are ongoing by the Sabah Environment Department under Section 16(1) of the Environmental Quality Act.
This law provides for fines between RM25,000 and RM250,000, or up to five years' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
The Environmental Quality Act prohibits the discharge of waste into the environment without proper authorisation, and violations related to e-waste include the illegal processing, storage, and transportation of items such as mobile phones, computers and televisions.
Abdul Rani said that the police, through GOF, would continue to work closely with the Environment Department to tackle any violations and safeguard the state's environmental quality.
