KUALA LUMPUR: Close interministerial cooperation is needed to address the challenges posed by illegal recycling plants and imported waste, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said better coordination between his ministry, through the Environment Department and the Housing and Local Government Ministry, is crucial to resolving these issues effectively.
He said he aims to boost the recycling rate to meet or exceed global standards that would also help provide sufficient feedstock for industries and curb illegal imports.
“There is plenty of expertise in recycling here, but the issue lies in two key areas. Some factories operate in crude, unregulated conditions, while others are legal but import waste illegally,” Nik Nazmi told media practitioners after attending the Concorde Club meeting yesterday.
He noted that illegal waste imports, particularly of e-waste and plastics, remain a major concern.
While Malaysia allows regulated imports of plastics to a certain extent, e-waste imports are entirely prohibited under the Basel Convention.
“The Basel Convention has a principle of prior and informed consent, meaning our country must consent to receiving these materials. However, e-waste continues to enter illegally, bypassing this requirement.
“Illegal recycling operations can be profitable due to the valuable metals in e-waste, but without proper regulation, they are harmful to workers and the environment,” he added.
He stressed on the importance of improving enforcement together with broader measures, including raising recycling rates and addressing the complexities of handling plastics.
Nik Nazmi also highlighted the government’s efforts to manage the environmental impact of data centres, which he described as a growing but resource-intensive sector.
