Tan Sri Azam Baki has announced that the importation of electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste, has been placed in the Absolute Prohibition category.
The chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission announced that the decision was made after the second meeting of the Special Task Force on Enforcement Management for Importation of Plastic Waste and E-Waste, with the primary objective of enhancing oversight of hazardous waste importation and protecting the environment.
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There is a pressing requirement for decisive and synchronized enforcement measures that involve the participation of all pertinent agencies.
“E-waste is now prohibited from entering the country and strict enforcement, involving various agencies, is necessary," he stated.
He further stated that the Department of Environment (DOE) has been directed to formally request the Customs Department to classify e-waste as an item prohibited for import under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.
In the past, electronic waste was classified as subject to Conditional Prohibition, allowing the Department of Environment's director-general to exercise discretion in granting exemptions based on certain conditions. This legal provision was included in Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act of 1974.
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Azam mentioned that the gathering additionally reached a consensus on the creation of a designated Special E-Waste Coordination Committee. This committee will be overseen by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Port Klang commander, Deputy Comm Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal.
"The committee is required to report its outcomes to the Special Task Force within one week to ensure more systematic and effective management of e-waste.
"In addition, the meeting also discussed a proposal to implement a three-month moratorium on the importation of plastic waste.
"Before a final decision is made, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the National Solid Waste Management Department and SWCorp must submit detailed data on the sector’s contribution to the national economy for consideration by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he said.
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In attendance were notable figures such as Deputy Commissioner Datuk Fazlisyam Abd Majid, head of the Anti-Money Laundering Investigation Task Force at Bukit Aman, Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Nor Yahati Awang of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Director Datuk Mohd Zaki Hassan of the Strategic Planning Division at MACC, Director Sudirman Aban of the Public Sector Governance Division at MACC, in addition to representatives from various government offices including the Chief Secretary to the Government’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, and AKPS.