Malaysia has imposed an absolute ban on the import of electronic waste (e-waste), effective 4 February, as part of stricter measures to prevent the entry of hazardous waste into the country.
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The country has in recent years struggled with a surge in imported electronic waste, much of it shipped from developed economies and often entering the country illegally or disguised as legitimate goods.
Environmental groups and authorities say poorly regulated recycling and dumping have led to soil and water contamination, toxic air pollution and health risks for nearby communities and workers, as informal facilities extract valuable metals and burn or dump the remaining hazardous material.
E-waste has now been moved into Malaysia’s “absolute prohibition” category, as part of a government push to tighten controls on hazardous waste entering the country.
In a statement released yesterday, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the decision reflects the government’s efforts to tighten controls over the importation of hazardous waste and safeguard environmental and public health.
Its chief commissioner Azam Baki said that the move would require firm and coordinated enforcement by all relevant agencies.
“E-waste is no longer allowed, and strict enforcement involving all agencies is required,” he said.
He added that the Department of Environment (DOE) has been instructed to work with customs authorities to implement the new classification. E-waste was previously classified under a conditional category that allowed limited exemptions subject to regulatory approval and environmental safeguards.
In addition to the ban, the task force agreed to strengthen coordination and enforcement of e-waste through the establishment of a special committee that will be chaired by the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency.
MACC noted there was also a proposal to impose a three-month moratorium on plastic waste imports, which is another pressing concern in Malaysia, adding that relevant authorities, including trade ministry, will need to submit clear data demonstrating the sector’s contribution to national economy and industry needs before any decision is finalised.
These developments follow a recent probe by the MACC, which detained several senior environment officials, including the director-general and deputy director-general of the DOE, to assist investigations into alleged irregularities involving e-waste imports.
Last month, the DOE disclosed that authorities had intercepted 701 containers suspected of carrying e-waste over the past four years into the country, with each estimated to contain around 20 metric tonnes of hazardous materials.
Meanwhile, the MACC announced the arrest of six company owners believed to be linked to e-waste smuggling operations, alongside the freezing of 16 bank accounts holding RM10.2 million (US$2.6 million) and the identification of seven Selangor-based companies suspected of involvement in the illicit trade.
