@ green | July-August . 2024

Tengku Hassanal commends AMLA task force for shutting down illegal e-waste processing plants

BY SHEILA ROZARIO

The operations served as a stern reminder that Pahang would not tolerate such environmental violations .

In a strong display of enforcement , the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing ( AMLA ) dismantled an illegal electronic waste ( e-waste ) processing facility in Pahang .

The operation , led by AMLA head CP Dato ’ Muhammed Hasbullah , took place in Salong , Pekan and Bukit Ibam , Muadzam Shah . It marked a significant victory in the State ’ s ongoing fight against environmental crime .

Other raid locations included Rawang and Bukit Tagar in Selangor , Rembau and Gemencheh in Negeri Sembilan , and Simpang Renggam in Johor .

Acting on a personal tip-off by Tengku Hassanal , Muhammed Hasbullah said the first raid in Pahang and subsequent plant raids revealed all of them were unlicensed and have been in operation since last year .

“ My heartfelt congratulations to the AMLA task force for their success in this critical operation ,” said Tengku Hassanal in a Press statement .

Tengku Hassanal underscored the crucial need for a transparent and uncompromised investigation , urging all involved to ensure the process remained free from corruption or undue influence .

He emphasised the crucial role of enforcement agencies , including the Pahang government , the Department of Environment , and other related bodies . Their collective efforts are essential in maintaining strict control over such illegal activities and safeguarding the State ’ s natural resources .

“ I also urge all stakeholders to uphold the Pahang Sultan ’ s vision of protecting the State ’ s rich biodiversity , including its flora , fauna ,

Tengku Hassanal Shah

and water sources ,” added Tengku Hassanal .

MODUS OPERANDI

According to Muhammed Hasbullah , the modus operandi of these factories involved the illegal import of e-waste from overseas . This waste was then processed locally into metal ingots and later exported for profits in the millions , posing significant environmental hazards .

“ Incineration of e-waste from these factories poses environmental hazards to the surrounding residents ,” said Muhammed Hasbullah .

“ Some of these factories were built within oil palm plantations and forest reserves , and they operated under the cover of darkness to avoid suspicion .”

He said the police force ’ s manpower during the raid included those from the General Operations Force .

In addition , a total of 55 people aged between 30 and 50 were arrested , including 10 locals believed to be landowners on which the illegal processing factories were built .

“ We are still identifying several other individuals , including the owners of the factories ,” he said .

He also explained that the foreigners , which included illegal migrants , were brought in as technicians and for their expertise in e-waste processing .

Muhammed Hasbullah said the total seizure came up to RM43,190,750 , and investigators were now probing how the factories were operating without oversight from the local authorities .

In June this year , at least 106 containers filled with e-waste were found in Malaysia ’ s ports over the past three months , with close to another 200 containers also suspected to contain the same .

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the Customs Department had seized 301 containers suspected of containing e-waste from Mar 21-Jun 19 .

Of the 301 containers , Nik said 106 containers were filled to the

Illegal e-waste from overseas was discovered in Port Klang .

AMLA chief Muhammed Hasbullah says the syndicate was busted following a tip-off received from the Pahang royalty .

brim with e-waste and scrap metal , which he revealed were almost entirely from developed countries such as the United States .

“ Unfortunately , many officials in some of these countries believe their e-waste is being processed in an environmentally friendly and ethical manner but don ’ t realise their waste is being sent to developing countries for processing ,” Nik Nazmi said during a working visit to Westport on Jun 26 .

“ Many of these containers are then falsely declared under different categories .”

ARRESTS AND INSPECTIONS

Nik Nazmi said that the relevant agencies have been undertaking joint arrests and inspections across multiple ministries .

In May , the Selangor DOE busted 18 containers docked at Westport filled with e-waste , with 11 other containers filled with plastic waste and different varieties of scrap .

Selangor DOE issued instruction notices to the companies that imported the waste material , ordering them to return the waste to the countries of origin under the Basel Convention procedures , according to a statement on the website of the DOE Malaysia Facebook Timeline .

The Basel Convention is an international treaty formulated to prevent the irresponsible transboundary movement of hazardous waste .

Selangor DOE director Nor Aziah Jaafar said her department carried out regular inspections with the Customs Department to seek out suspected illegal shipments .

“ We direct the return of these illicit waste material shipments to their countries of origin . But some still find their way into the country ,” she added . – @ green