Govt to ship out 1,259 illegal e-waste containers by year-end

The Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has pledged to repatriate all 1,259 containers of illegal electronic waste seized over the past two years to their respective countries by the end of the year. Port Klang commander Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal revealed that the operation is being carried out in three phases, with the cooperation of the customs department.

So far, 255 containers have been shipped out, and the agency is currently targeting the return of 533 containers in the second phase. The final phase will commence on October 1, with a focus on the remaining 578 containers. These containers, weighing 8,000 tonnes in total, are part of the government's commitment to preventing Malaysian ports from being used as transit points or dumping grounds for toxic waste.

Inspections found no attempts to re-import the banned materials, although some containers have been intercepted returning with other commercial goods. Selangor customs director Noraidah Ishak reported that the department has thwarted attempts to smuggle various goods, seizing 63 containers worth RM42.99 million in four separate raids at Port Klang.

The largest seizure involved four 40-foot containers containing 48.78 million sticks of cigarettes worth RM37.56 million, as well as scrap metal, plastic, alcoholic beverages, and sex toys.