Authorities uncover three more e-waste containers at Port Klang

Authorities uncover three more e-waste containers at Port Klang

PORT KLANG: The crackdown on electronic waste (e-waste) smuggling gathered steam yesterday with the discovery of three more containers with illegal material at Port Klang.

Sources told the New Straits Times that nine containers were flagged for inspections and the first three that were checked had illegal e-waste.

Earlier this week, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) led a joint operation at Port Klang and seized more than 50 containers for inspections.

Six containers originating from the United States, Taiwan, South Korea and Spain were found to contain e-waste and commercial rubbish.

It is learnt that more containers have been flagged for inspections.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Pemuda UMNO Johor Anggap Cabaran ‘Poster Boy’ Gimik Politik, Persoal Sumbangan Kepada Rakyat

Yesterday’s operation came hours after the director-general and deputy director-general of the Department of Environment were remanded for seven days to assist in a corruption investigation involving e-waste management.

The two senior officials, along with an assistant officer from the department, will be held until Thursday, while a fourth individual, a civilian, was remanded for three days until Sunday.

The four suspects arrived at the Putrajaya court complex at 9am under heavy escort by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers.

It was reported on Thursday that the director-general and his deputy were detained after providing statements at the MACC headquarters here.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Memartabatkan Bahasa Melayu Adalah Isu Kenegaraan Yang Wajib Dipertahankan – Mohd Isam

The investigation focused on allegations of abuse of power and bribery linked to e-waste management, suspected to have occurred over several years.

Operations against e-waste smuggling gained traction at Port Klang after the MCBA launched a major campaign earlier this week.

On Thursday, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told the NST that the Multi-Agency Task Force (MATF) would be mobilised for enhanced operations against e-waste smuggling in the coming days.

He said the task force would activate relevant agencies to intensify the fight against e-waste smuggling syndicates, building on intelligence gathered from recent container inspections and enforcement actions at the port.

“Early results from the MCBA’s operations at Port Klang over the last few days look promising.

“We will mobilise all relevant agencies in the coming days to take the fight directly to these syndicates.”

Azam, who chairs the MATF, said the task force would work closely with the MCBA to gather evidence and refine intelligence to cripple smuggling networks attempting to move illegal e-waste through the country’s ports.

“Our focus is to strengthen inter-agency coordination, improve intelligence sharing and build solid cases that can dismantle these networks at every level of their operations.”