NRES Forms Special Task Force To Strengthen Environmental Enforcement, Governance – Arthur

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- A Special Task Force has been established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) to strengthen governance and environmental law enforcement in the country, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the move is also aimed at improving the Department of Environment’s (DOE) standard operating procedures to make them more responsive and impactful.

He said NRES is aware of the recent arrests of two senior DOE officers by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and is fully committed to cooperating with the investigation.

“The ministry wishes to emphasise that we uphold integrity, good governance and accountability as priorities.

“All forms of abuse of power or corrupt practices will not be compromised, and follow-up actions at the internal level will be taken in accordance with public service regulations if necessary,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time today.

He was answering a supplementary question from Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) on the ministry’s measures to ensure the integrity of DOE services following the arrest of its top officials.

Arthur said discussions are underway with the Chief Secretary to the Government to fill key positions, particularly in enforcement, to strengthen DOE operations.

Responding to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) on why the government banned the import of electronic waste (e-waste) with effect from Feb 4, Arthur said Malaysia has never allowed e-waste imports.

He added that NRES is committed to returning illegally imported waste to its country of origin, in line with obligations under the Basel Convention, with 428 of 701 detected containers containing e-waste repatriated between 2021 and 2025.

“In total, 1,241 containers were inspected by various enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and DOE, during this period.

“If repatriation cannot be carried out despite all efforts… the e-waste will then be managed and safely disposed of through Environmentally Sound Management at safe, licensed facilities recognised by DOE in the country,” he said.

Regarding action against premises carrying out illegal e-waste processing, Arthur said 85 cases have been addressed through integrated operations "Ops Hazard 1 and 2".

He said the operations resulted in 21 premises being compounded while 64 were referred for prosecution, with 11 cases already concluded in court.

“We have also taken steps to shut down illegal factories and prosecute their operators in court, in collaboration with local authorities and the police.

“…the closure of premises is enforced by local authorities under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), particularly regarding licensing and enforcement of premises, and the ministry, through DOE, will continue to strengthen this strategic cooperation to combat the existence and operations of illegal e-waste processing factories nationwide,” he added.

-- BERNAMA