COMPREHENSIVE COORDINATION NEEDED TO ADDRESS E-WASTE IMPORTS - AZAM

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The issue of plastic waste and electronic waste (e-waste) entering the country requires urgent action and comprehensive coordination among enforcement agencies, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

He said investigations and disposal measures involving over 800 e-waste containers are being carried out in collaboration with the Department of Environment (DOE), the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), the Customs Department and the police.

Citing Port Klang as an example, he said the AKPS acts as the coordinator, while the Customs Department, police and DOE must be present at the location if there is information or complaints.

"As for land routes, the police will coordinate with the relevant agencies for further action.

"We are also reviewing proposals for a moratorium, and the views will be brought to the National Governance Committee (JTK) meeting that will be chaired by the Prime Minister,” he said in a statement issued after the national-level JTK meeting today.

Port Klang AKPS commander Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said it took a firm approach by detaining the containers suspected of carrying e-waste until verificationby the DOE is completed.

He added that the AKPS will ensure every detention is recorded more systematically and that release is granted only through case meetings. The Customs Department, meanwhile, will list the containers in a master register for segregation purposes, whether inspected or not.

"The DOE must also be present during the opening of the containers. The AKPS, meanwhile, is developing intelligence methods to identify high-risk containers. If the law is violated, the containers will be rejected,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who chaired the committee meeting, said the MACC's strong commitment to combating misconduct and corruption, including involving government procurement, enforcement and international mega agreements, is at the core of efforts to preserve the integrity of the country's governance.

He added that the MACC's continued commitment to exposing various corruption modus operandi must be appreciated and serve as a reminder to all parties, especially civil servants.

"I hope all these operations and enforcement actions will serve as a reminder and a lesson to all parties, especially to civil servants, to always comply with the law, uphold the values of integrity and fulfil the trust responsibly,” he said.

He also expressed his appreciation for MACC's proactive approach, while congratulating the commission on the launch of its new tagline, “Berani dan Radikal Perangi Rasuah” (Brave and Radical in Fighting Corruption), which he said reflected its commitment and resolve to combat corruption.

-- BERNAMA