Govt Steps Up Crackdown On E-waste Smuggling Through Whole Of Nation Approach - KSN

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10  (Bernama) -- The federal government will strengthen enforcement efforts to curb electronic waste (e-waste) smuggling, particularly at the country’s main entry points, by adopting a whole-of-nation approach that emphasises close cooperation with state governments.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said integrated cooperation was crucial, as enforcement against cross-border economic crimes involves two key areas under state government authority, namely ports and local authorities (PBT).

“At the PBT level, it involves the issuance of premises licences, including those for scrap metal shops and used or worn-out material businesses.

“Through a whole-of-nation approach, cooperation between the federal and state governments is essential to ensure enforcement measures can be carried out smoothly and effectively,” he said after chairing the Federal and State Government Liaison Meeting (JPPN) here today.

 Also present were Public Service director-general (KPPA) Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

Shamsul Azri said the federal government, in collaboration with state governments, had begun collecting data from local authorities on licensed premises nationwide to facilitate enforcement action against operators found to violate regulations.

“I started with Selangor. Instructions were issued to compile a profile of scrap metal premises in Selangor so that we can analyse the data...how many licences were issued, which licences have expired, and from there, we will carry out a clean-up,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the Cabinet had instructed Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to review the Second-Hand Dealers Act 1946 to streamline existing legal provisions and close enforcement loopholes.

Shamsul Azri also revealed that a total of 61 containers were inspected between Jan 27 and 30 this year, following the initial AKPS operation at Port Klang, with several found to contain prohibited or problematic items, including e-waste and related materials.

“Of the total seized, nearly 200 tonnes comprised e-waste and related waste, while more than 80 tonnes involved copper materials with high market value.

“Based on conservative estimates, the total value of the seizure is between RM2.2 million and RM3.2 million, excluding losses in national revenue from duty and tax evasion, disposal costs and potential money laundering risks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Shuhaily said AKPS would continue to align its enforcement actions with the government’s direction to strengthen operations more strategically and comprehensively.

“All information obtained from border monitoring will be shared with local authorities to enable broader and more coordinated enforcement action,” he said.

-- BERNAMA