Border authorities send 15 containers out of Malaysia
PORT KLANG: Authorities have ordered 15 containers of electronic waste (e-waste) to be shipped out of Malaysia under a major crackdown by the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) through Ops Green Shield, says its Port Klang commander.
Deputy Comm Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said 14 containers were shipped out at 8am yesterday, while another container is scheduled to be sent out today.
He said the move is part of ongoing efforts to ensure Malaysia is not used as an illegal dumping ground for e-waste.
“From Ops Green Shield 1 to Ops Green Shield 21, a total of 254 containers confirmed to contain e-waste have been detained by AKPS together with the Joint Task Force.
“803 e-waste containers have been subjected to enforcement action to be removed from the country in accordance with existing laws,” he said at a press conference at the Customs Department North Port here yesterday.
DCP Nik Ezanee said the operation was carried out in an integrated manner involving multiple agencies, including the Customs Department, the Department of Environment, Sirim and the Port Klang Authority.
He added that each suspicious container undergoes a strict verification process before further action is taken.
“This reflects the authorities’ commitment and firm stance in combating the illegal entry of e-waste into the country.
“It is also in line with efforts to strengthen enforcement effectiveness and ensure compliance with laws and international conventions,” he said.
He added that the agency recorded 231 enforcement cases involving seizures and investigations worth about RM36.2mil between January and March this year, covering offences ranging from under-declaration of tax to health and import violations.
He said the cases were detected through coordinated inspections and enforcement operations involving several agencies, including the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis), the Health Ministry (MOH) and the Customs Department.
“A total of 231 containers were involved in these cases,” he said.
He said the monthly breakdown showed 68 cases worth RM8,833,637.20 in January, 88 cases valued at RM18,966,194.96 in February, and 75 cases worth RM8,443,745.75 in March.
Maqis nailed 80 cases valued at RM18.9mil, while MOH recorded 54 cases worth RM11.2mil, and Customs Department accounted for 97 cases involving RM5.95mil.
DCP Nik Ezanee said AKPS would not draw comparisons on trends as the agency is still newly established.
“We cannot say whether it has increased or decreased as there is no comparison data. AKPS has just started. We will continue inspections to ensure that goods entering and leaving the country are properly monitored,” he said, adding that enforcement at ports would be further strengthened in line with growing trade activities.
In a separate raid, AKPS seized seven containers of frozen chicken and duck worth more than RM1.06mil following suspicions of dubious halal certification and document forgery.
The seizure was carried out on April 9 after physical inspections at the Container Inspection Yard (CT2) at North Port, Port Klang.
“Six containers were found to contain frozen chicken and one container frozen duck, with a total weight of 187,800kg and an estimated value of RM1,062,048.
“Document checks also found attempts at falsification, as well as questionable use of a Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) halal certificate and incomplete health certificates,” he said.
