701 e-waste containers detained since 2021; 428 repatriated, says Arthur Kurup
PETALING JAYA: Over half of 1,241 containers inspected between 2021 and 2025 were found to contain electronic waste (e-waste), Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said.
Arthur said a total of 701 containers were subsequently detained and of these, 428 containers have already been successfully repatriated to their countries of origin.
He said the Department of Environment (DOE) has issued repatriation orders for all remaining cases under Section 31 of the Environmental Quality Act, based on customs manifests and bills of lading.
“If repatriation cannot be carried out, such as when the owner cannot be identified, e-waste will be managed and disposed of safely using the Environmentally Sound Management method at licensed and DOE-recognised facilities within the country,” Kurup said in Parliament.
He added that disposal could only proceed after all legal processes, including court proceedings under laws such as the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), have been completed to ensure actions are lawful and orderly.
The minister also highlighted strong action against illegal processing factories.
“Through operations known as Ops Hazard 1 and Ops Hazard 2, a total of 85 cases were acted upon.
“21 premises were issued compounds, while 64 cases were brought to court. To date, 11 cases have been concluded,” he said, adding that closures were carried out by local authorities under Act 171, which governs licensing and enforcement of premises.
A special committee chaired by the Inspector-General of Police has also been established, and the Chief Secretary to the Government has met with local authorities in industrial zones to coordinate enforcement.
Kurup also explained that Malaysia had become a target destination for e-waste shipments due to tighter import restrictions in China and high demand from illegal, unlicensed processing factories.
False declarations of imported goods that misled enforcement agencies, along with the valuable metals contained in e-waste, have also attracted illegal operators.
“To combat this, we have strengthened control mechanisms at border entry points and enhanced enforcement with agencies such as Customs, port authorities, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, and the Police,” he said.
