Return to sender: containers with e-waste linked to 9 countries

2026-03-06 - 13:04

Environment officials inspecting containers in Port Klang which were identified as containing e-waste. (JAS Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA: Containers inspected for suspected electronic waste (e-waste) entering Malaysia through Port Klang in an ongoing operation have been linked to several countries, including the US, Singapore, Turkey, Spain, China, Thailand, Canada, Uruguay, and Ecuador. The environment department said the containers, containing e-waste and scheduled waste, will be returned to their countries of origin in accordance with procedures under the Basel Convention. The department said tackling illegal imports of e-waste required a “whole-of-nation” approach, as a complex chain of activities across multiple jurisdictions is involved. The chain includes shipping companies and forwarding agents, entry through ports, storage in warehouses, and, in some cases, illegal processing at unlicensed factories, it said. The department said 72 of the 158 containers inspected during Op Bongkar have been identified as containing e-waste. The operation began on March 3 at Port Klang following the detention of containers suspected of carrying e-waste. The operation was launched after natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Arthur Joseph Kurup visited the port on Feb 28 to review containers believed to contain scheduled waste. Those involved in illegal imports may face action under the Environmental Quality Act, with penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment and fines ranging from RM100,000 to RM10 million.