NRES: AMLA Provides Legal Framework To Combat Environmental Crime

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The government is prioritising the use of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) to combat organised environmental crime rather than amending the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA).

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) said the approach took into account the possible involvement of smuggling syndicates and money laundering activities in the illegal importation and disposal of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste).

The ministry said AMLA provided comprehensive enforcement mechanisms to trace financial flows and freeze, seize and forfeit assets linked to unlawful activities, subject to the conditions and procedures prescribed under the Act.

“Under the amendment made in 2025, which took effect on March 1, 2026, the definition of a ‘serious offence’ has been expanded to include offences under federal law punishable by imprisonment for one year or more.

“This includes offences involving scheduled wastes under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (AKAS), allowing enforcement action under AMLA once the elements of the underlying offence have been established,” the ministry said in a written reply published on the Parliament portal.

The ministry was responding to a question from Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu) on the latest developments in discussions with the Home Ministry over proposed amendments to the First Schedule of POCA to cover organised environmental crime involving e-waste, and the timeline for tabling the proposed bill in Parliament.

NRES believed that fully enforcing the existing provisions of AMLA alongside the AKAS would provide an adequate enforcement framework to address the financial aspects and illicit profits arising from illegal e-waste activities.

The ministry added the approach would allow action to be taken not only against those directly involved in illegal activities but also against the networks and parties that benefited financially from them.

“The Department of Environment (DOE) is currently streamlining its preparations to implement AMLA, including developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), conducting regular training and enhancing the capacity and expertise of its officers.

“The DOE is also collaborating with the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC) and other enforcement agencies to conduct integrated operations and support financial investigations into environmental crimes,” the ministry said.

NRES said the DOE was also strengthening enforcement under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, which provides for a maximum fine of RM10 million and mandatory imprisonment of up to five years for the illegal disposal of scheduled waste.

--BERNAMA