RM21.25 Mln In Illegal e-waste Seized In Kedah, Four Detained

IPOH, July 24 (Bernama) -- Authorities seized RM21.25 million worth of illegally processed electronic waste (e-waste) during a raid on an unlicensed factory in Mukim Bagan Sena, near Kulim in Kedah on Wednesday.

The joint operation, codenamed ‘Op Hazard’, was led by the Northern Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) and the Kedah Department of Environment (DOE), following intelligence on illegal e-waste activities at the site.

In a statement today, GOF Northern Brigade commander SAC Shahrum Hashim said the factory was operating without a valid licence and was found with compressed e-waste blocks, metal processing equipment and various toxic waste materials.

“The seizure included 50,000 kg of suspected e-waste, 20,000 kg of aluminium, 30,000 kg of sludge, piles of dust residue, two forklifts, three bulldozers, three metal smelters, two mixers and a crusher,” he said.

Four men, one Malaysian and three foreign nationals from China and Myanmar, aged between 36 and 45, were arrested. Two of them lacked valid travel documents.

The case is being investigated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, Second-Hand Dealers Act 1946 and Immigration Act 1959/63.

Shahrum warned that unregulated e-waste handling poses serious risks to public health and the environment due to the potential release of hazardous substances like lead, mercury and cadmium.

He added that enforcement efforts will be intensified and urged the public to report illegal activities, particularly in the northern region.

-- BERNAMA