PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Environment (DoE) is strengthening its collaboration with various agencies to tackle the issue of illegal electronic waste (e-waste).
The department's director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the department is working with the Customs Department, the state government, local authorities and the police.
He said there had been an influx of e-waste entering Malaysia illegally, in violation of the Basel Convention.
"It enters through false declarations, not as e-waste and when it arrives, it goes to illegal facilities.
"This has become a significant issue recently.
"Therefore, we are compelled to seek cooperation from the Customs Department regarding e-waste at the ports, while the state government, local councils and the police for illegal e-waste processing factories," he said during a media briefing on the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024 and the EIA today (Oct 2).
He said the department received seven reports of illegal e-waste factories, with three each in Selangor and Pahang and one in Kedah, this year.
He said e-waste must be disposed of at licenced premises, which the licence issued by the department and the respective local councils.
As of last month, there are 17 licenced e-waste factories and 106 semi-e-waste factories.
Meanwhile, when asked on a news report of inaction by the department on illegal e-waste factories at Teluk Gong, Klang, Wan Abdul Latiff dismissed the allegation.
"Out of 23 factories, which had been reported as illegal, only three were found to be illegal based on inspection conducted.
"Enforcement actions have been taken against the factories, and any violations found under our Act will be addressed.
"At the same time, relevant agencies should also take action under their respective jurisdiction," he said, adding that some of the cases would be brought to court.
Recently, a local Malay daily reported that Teluk Gong was experiencing pollution from numerous industrial waste processing factories suspected of operating illegally.