KUALA LUMPUR: The importing of electronic waste (e-waste) has been placed under the Absolute Prohibition category with immediate effect starting Wednesday (Feb 4), says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner said the decision follows the second meeting of the Special Task Force on the Direction of Enforcement Management for the Importation of Plastic Waste and E-Waste, aimed at tightening controls on the entry of hazardous waste and safeguarding the environment.
"There is an urgent need for firm and coordinated enforcement action involving all relevant agencies.
“E-waste is no longer allowed to enter the country. Enforcement must be carried out firmly with the involvement of all agencies,” he said.
As a result, the Department of Environment (DOE) has been instructed to submit an application to the Customs Department to place e-waste under the Absolute Prohibition category pursuant to the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, he added.
Previously, e-waste was listed under Conditional Prohibition, where the DOE director-general had discretionary powers to grant exemptions subject to specific conditions. This provision was provided for under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Azam said the meeting also agreed to establish a Special E-Waste Coordination Committee, to be chaired by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Port Klang commander Deputy Comm Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal.
"The committee is required to report its outcomes to the Special Task Force within one week to ensure more systematic and effective management of e-waste.
"In addition, the meeting also discussed a proposal to implement a three-month moratorium on the importation of plastic waste.
"Before a final decision is made, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the National Solid Waste Management Department and SWCorp must submit detailed data on the sector’s contribution to the national economy for consideration by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he said.
Among those present were Bukit Aman Anti-Money Laundering Investigation Task Force chief Deputy Comm Datuk Fazlisyam Abd Majid, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Nor Yahati Awang, MACC Strategic Planning Division director Datuk Mohd Zaki Hassan, MACC Public Sector Governance Division director Sudirman Aban, as well as representatives from the Chief Secretary to the Government’s Office, the Finance Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the Housing and Local Government Ministry, the Home Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and AKPS.
