The government aims to make the island a regional hub for resource efficiency, in line with a 2050 roadmap for industrial transition as the sector grows faster than European peers.
The move reclassifies electronic waste under absolute prohibition to tighten border controls and curb environmental risks in the country amid recent corruption probes.
The arrests come as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission conducts broader investigations into alleged abuse of power and corruption in e-waste handling in Malaysia, which is one of the top destinations in Asia for illegal imports.