PORT KLANG, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow over the issue of containers suspected of containing electronic waste (e-waste) entering the country.
Port Klang AKPS commander Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said the meeting will focus on detection, inspection and coordination among agencies to address illegal shipments that could affect the country’s security and economy.
“Tomorrow, together with AKPS director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, I will meet the Prime Minister to present the current issues and the steps that need to be taken collectively.
“Our priority is to propose that containers containing e-waste that have been blocked be sent back to their country of origin to ensure the issue is addressed comprehensively and effectively,” he said.
He said this when met after the AKPS Port Klang breaking of fast programme with Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), which was also attended by BERNAS Group chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Azlan Abdullah.
Nik Ezanee said AKPS has so far identified more than 800 containers suspected of containing illegal e-waste shipments that require immediate action to prevent misuse and security risks at the port.
He said a Joint E-Waste Task Force has been set up at the Port Klang level involving the Customs Department (JKDM), the Department of Environment (DoE), SIRIM Berhad and the Port Klang Authority to coordinate actions and information among all parties.
“Initially, each agency had its own list of containers to be inspected. Therefore, we streamlined all the lists and combined them into a shared database to facilitate enforcement actions.
“We are currently reviewing which containers have been inspected and which have yet to be inspected, as well as determining the next steps to enable the containers to be returned to their country of origin in an orderly manner,” he said.
He added that the move is expected to speed up the process of returning the e-waste containers to their country of origin once internal procedures are completed and all parties are ready to take action in accordance with the guidelines.
Nik Ezanee said AKPS is also reviewing the procedural flow required to facilitate the removal of containers from the port to ensure there are no delays that could affect enforcement and operational safety.
“When we face issues like this, we should not point fingers at one another. Instead, we must sit together and find collective solutions for the good of the country.
“AKPS will also present strategic proposals covering enhanced monitoring and enforcement at other high-risk ports to prevent any recurrence of illegal activities,” he said.
He said ensuring safety and compliance with import laws remains a priority for AKPS to ensure that no illegal activities affect the country and that port operations run safely and smoothly.
Earlier, BERNAS hosted about 350 AKPS officers and personnel at a breaking-of-fast event after distributing 700 containers of ‘bubur lambuk’ to those on duty around the port.
-- BERNAMA
