KUALA LUMPUR: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission has confirmed attempts were made by Department of Environment (DoE) officers to release containers filled with e-waste from Westports, Port Klang.
It said that EAIC Enforcement received information on possible misconduct committed by the DoE officers who allegedly allowed the release of the containers from the port.
"As such a task force was formed in line with Section 17 of the EAIC Act 2009 to facilitate investigations over the allegations and an investigation was carried out and completed.
"Our investigations found that the containers believed to contain e-waste were still in Westports, Port Klang. It also found attempts by DoE officials to release the containers without clear authority and reasonable justification," it said in a statement today (Jan 6).
It said that the investigation found that there were leakages of information regarding the transfer of directors and officers and that the newly appointed directors and officers would release the said containers.
"The investigations also found that DoE failed to take action regarding the information leak. It also found delays by DoE in the completion of investigation papers involving the containers in question which stemmed from supervisory weaknesses," it said, adding that the extreme delays over the handling of the case could cause losses for the government as well as environmental pollution.
The commission has recommended that the chief secretary to the government take disciplinary action against the officers involved. The EAIC also suggested that a new standing order on enforcement be put in place at the DoE to prevent future misconduct.