KUALA LUMPUR: Graft busters are focusing on governance weaknesses in the management of electronic waste (e-waste) following the implementation of Ops Nature, an operation carried out simultaneously by its Selangor and Negri Sembilan branches.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Azmi Kamaruzaman said the operation was conducted on Tuesday (Jan 20) at two locations in Klang and Nilai.
"In addition to investigating offences related to corruption, we are also examining governance aspects to identify root causes and systemic weaknesses that have contributed to ongoing e-waste management issues.
"Failure to address governance shortcomings effectively would create opportunities for corrupt practices and allow the illegal importation of e-waste to continue," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 21).
Azmi said the commission has opened an investigation into governance to examine the underlying causes and identify the best methods to prevent this issue from persisting.
"It not only harms the environment but also results in losses to national revenue,” he said.
He added that preliminary issues identified include weaknesses in monitoring mechanisms and follow-up enforcement related to e-waste management.
"However, he stressed that these findings can only be confirmed upon the completion of a comprehensive governance investigation," he said.
Azmi said the MACC does not rule out the possibility of similar issues occurring in other states, adding that governance investigations could be expanded nationwide if necessary.
"We will work closely with relevant agencies, including the Department of Environment, as well as the Special E-Waste Task Force chaired by MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
"We hope all involved agencies will play a firmer and more proactive role in accordance with their respective jurisdictions," he added.
