Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian government is stepping up campaigns to strictly control cross-border e-waste and dismantle illegal processing facilities in an effort to protect the environment and fulfil its commitment to sustainable development.
Speaking before Parliament, Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup stated that between 2021 and 2025, more than half of the containers inspected at border crossings contained e-waste. Specifically, out of a total of 701 containers temporarily detained, 428 have been successfully sent back to their countries of origin. The remaining containers are in the process of being returned under Article 31 of the Environmental Quality Act, based on customs declarations and order information.
For shipments whose consignees cannot be identified, the waste will be disposed of at licensed facilities using environmentally friendly management methods after the completion of legal procedures and court proceedings.
In parallel with blocking supplies at border crossings, Malaysia is also cracking down on unlicensed electronic waste processing facilities that have sprung up rapidly to exploit precious metals after China tightened its import regulations.
Through large-scale campaigns such as Ops Hazard 1 and 2, authorities have handled 85 violations, including 21 facilities receiving administrative penalties and 64 cases being brought to court.
Malaysia has also established a special task force to coordinate closely with local authorities in enforcing environmental laws. To combat the misdeclaration of goods used to smuggle waste into the country, customs, port authorities, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, and the police have strengthened control mechanisms at entry points in border areas./.
