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THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and good governance after the arrest of senior Department of Environment (DOE) officers in connection with an investigation into electronic waste management, amid allegations of internal sabotage of enforcement operations.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, said the ministry had taken note of reports on the detention of a senior officer to assist investigations being conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
He stressed that the ministry would not compromise on any form of abuse of power, misappropriation or corrupt practices involving personnel under its jurisdiction.
“Integrity is the core foundation in safeguarding the nation’s environmental sustainability and the ministry will not tolerate any breach of governance principles,” he said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Arthur said NRES would provide full cooperation to MACC to ensure that investigations are carried out in a transparent and comprehensive manner.
At the same time, he said he had instructed the ministry’s secretary-general to ensure that all functions and daily operations of the Department of Environment continue without disruption.
This, he said, is essential to ensure that public services and environmental monitoring remain a priority.
He also urged all parties to respect the legal process and to refrain from speculation that could undermine or prejudice ongoing investigations.
“NRES will continue to monitor developments in this case from time to time and will take appropriate follow-up action at the internal level in accordance with the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations, if necessary,” he added.
In a related development, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that individuals from the Department of Environment had attempted to sabotage enforcement operations related to electronic waste management carried out by MACC investigators.
Azam disclosed the matter in an audio clip published on MACC’s official TikTok account earlier today, linking the alleged sabotage to senior officials within the department.
“Today, two senior officers, namely the director-general and the deputy director-general, have been arrested because they received bribes.
“And yesterday, their people sabotaged the raids that we carried out.
“This shows how individuals who are not only unhealthy in conduct — I see that this director-general is unhealthy, but when taking money, he is healthy. When the mindset is ‘unhealthy’, negative elements enter and bribes are accepted, which ultimately harms others,” he said.
Azam confirmed that the two senior DOE officers were arrested at 6.30pm after they appeared to give statements at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
The arrests and allegations have intensified scrutiny on governance and enforcement integrity within environmental regulatory agencies, particularly in the high-risk and lucrative e-waste management sector. - January 30, 2026