Lawyer says charges against DoE deputy DG Norhazni Mat Sari are unrelated to e-waste, involving RM21,000 payments into her daughter’s account.
KUALA LUMPUR: The charges brought against Department of Environment (DoE) deputy director-general Norhazni Mat Sari are entirely unrelated to e-waste smuggling, her legal counsel clarified following proceedings at the Sessions Court today.
Lawyer Haresh Mahadevan stated that the specific allegations filed against his client differ significantly from the public narrative that has surrounded the investigation since its inception.
“From the outset, the public was told that both the director-general and the deputy director-general were involved in e-waste matters.
“However, the charges today have nothing to do with e-waste. We were surprised that the initial press statements focused solely on e-waste,” Haresh told reporters.
Haresh clarified that the matter raised in court concerned alleged payments into the bank account of Norhazni’s daughter, rather than the illegal entry of hazardous waste into Malaysia.
“When our client was remanded for the purposes of investigation, nothing was raised regarding e-waste. There was no mention of containers or hazardous items being brought into the country.
“Today’s proceedings concerned six charges relating to payments allegedly made into her daughter’s account,” he said.
In a formal written statement, the defence team emphasised that Norhazni was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code and not for any offence linked to e-waste smuggling.
They described any previous public statements linking her to such activities as “baseless”, noting that she had never been questioned or investigated regarding e-waste.
The defence also pointed out that despite the national concern over illegal e-waste entering the country, no individuals have yet been charged over the actual smuggling activities.
“Norhazni maintains her innocence and will defend herself in court,” the statement added.
Earlier, Norhazni, 59, claimed trial to six counts of accepting valuables totalling RM21,000.
The charges state that between April 2022 and July 2024, Norhazni received the funds from E-Concern (Borneo) Sdn Bhd Director Tang Siong Hee.
The money was allegedly transferred into her 29-year-old daughter’s bank account.
These offences fall under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which prohibits civil servants from receiving valuable items from parties connected to their official duties without adequate consideration.
Judge Azura Alwi set bail at RM25,000.