KLANG: Some 78,000kg of electronic waste (e-waste) in several shipping containers has been seized during a joint enforcement operation in Port Klang.
Port Klang Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) commander Deputy Comm Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said the discovery was made during the 16th Ops Green Shield carried out by the Port Klang E-waste Joint Task Force on Friday (March 6).
"The operation involved multiple agencies including the Customs Department, the Environment Department (DOE), SIRIM and the Port Klang Authority.
“A total of 20 officers from the participating agencies conducted inspections on several containers in an integrated operation that began at 9.30am and ended around noon,” he said in a statement on Friday.
DCP Nik Ezanee said seven containers were inspected during the operation.
“Four containers were found to contain e-waste while three others contained a mixture of waste and scrap that did not comply with import requirements.
“The containers have been handed over to SIRIM for further investigation,” he adding that the four containers containing e-waste weighed a total of 78,000kg.
DCP Nik Ezanee said enforcement efforts under Ops Green Shield 1 to Op Green Shield 16 have so far detected 2,844.46 tonnes of e-waste, with 142 containers confirmed to contain electronic waste.
“The operation is part of enforcement measures to curb the illegal importation of electronic waste into the country,” he said.
He added that Friday’s inspection was also conducted to verify a list of containers provided by the Customs Department and the Port Klang Authority last year.
The containers containing e-waste will be placed in a secured area while awaiting instructions from the DOE for re-export.
DCP Nik Ezanee said AKPS will continue to inspect trade containers suspected of carrying prohibited waste.
“We will also continue strengthening enforcement and border control at the country’s entry points to safeguard national interests and sovereignty,” he said.
