KUALA LUMPUR: More than 500 containers inspected at ports nationwide between 2023 and 2024 contained imported e-waste, said the Department of Environment (DOE).
Director-General Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said 462 containers were held at ports last year, with 47 held in 2023.
"This is a stark increase between the two years. 140 of the containers have since been sent back, and the remainder are being prepared to be sent to their countries of origin," he said at a joint press conference with the police on Thursday (Feb 20).
He explained that the DOE works closely with the Customs Department, which inspects containers.
“If they suspect e-waste, the DOE is called in for further investigations.
If it does contain e-waste, an order notice is issued for the items to be sent back to their countries of origin," he added, noting that DOE officers are not stationed at ports 24/7.
Separately, Wan Abdul Latiff said raids at 47 premises under the recent Op Hazard operations seized more than 15,000 metric tonnes of e-waste.
The premises are being investigated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).
Some 59 order notices and 27 compounds have also been issued for various offences.
"52 investigation papers will be opened for legal proceedings," he said, adding they are pushing for charges under Section 34B of Act 127.
Under this section, those found guilty face a maximum fine of RM10mil and imprisonment of not more than five years.
In March last year, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Environmental Quality (Amendments) Bill 2023, which increased penalties for those polluting the environment, including in-land water pollution.
