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FIVE Myanmar nationals have been arrested following the discovery of an unlicensed electronic waste (e-waste) recycling operation at a factory in the Lahat Industrial Area, near Ipoh, with authorities seizing materials worth an estimated RM111.4 million.
The arrests were made during a five-hour enforcement operation led by the General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade, which commenced at 7 pm yesterday.
Commander of the GOF Northern Brigade, SAC Shahrum Hashim, said the individuals, including a woman, were aged between 25 and 45.
“Intelligence revealed that the factory had been processing e-waste, plastics, metals, and aluminium for approximately a year. Inspections confirmed that the facility was operating without any approval from the Department of Environment,” he said at a press conference today.
He added, “We are still in the process of gathering more information regarding the owner of the factory.”
The operation also uncovered that the factory had employed foreign workers who did not possess valid documentation.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for immigration offences, as well as Sections 34A and 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which deal with the regulation of scheduled waste and licensing requirements. - June 17, 2025