PUTRAJAYA: A total of 72 containers suspected of containing electronic waste (e-waste) have been detected following checks on 158 containers under an operation codenamed "Ops Bongkar" at Port Klang as of Friday (March 6), says the Environment Department.
In a statement Friday, the DOE said the operation, now in its fourth day, involved inspecting seven additional containers, bringing the total to 158.
The department said that the containers are believed to have been shipped from various countries, including the United States, Singapore, Turkiye, Spain and China, as well as Thailand, Canada, Uruguay and Ecuador.
"This action is part of the government's ongoing efforts to ensure Malaysia does not become a dumping ground for illegal waste, particularly electrical and electronic waste, which has the potential to cause serious impact and affect the environment and public health," the statement read.
The DOE said the repatriation of containers containing e-waste and scheduled waste to their countries of origin will be carried out through the issuance of a notice of direction under Section 31 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to the parties involved, including importers, forwarding agents, shipping companies, or any party found to be involved in these illegal importation activities.
"The repatriation of containers to their countries of origin is carried out according to procedures set under the Basel Convention, involving the identified exporting countries.
"Failure to comply with instructions or involvement in illegal importation activities of scheduled waste can lead to action under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
"Upon conviction, offenders can face a prison sentence not exceeding five years and a fine of not less than RM100,000 and not exceeding RM10 million," the statement also said.
At the same time, the DOE added that action is also being taken against illegal e-waste processing factories established without approval, which fall under the jurisdiction of local authorities and land offices.
Ops Bongkar was implemented to detect containers suspected of containing scheduled waste, specifically e-waste, that were attempted to be brought illegally into the country through Port Klang.
The operation is being carried out in an integrated manner with the cooperation of several strategic agencies, namely the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Port Klang Authority (PKA) and SIRIM Bhd. - Bernama
