Kuala lumpur: The federal government is intensifying its efforts to curb electronic waste (e-waste) smuggling by adopting a comprehensive national strategy that emphasizes collaboration with state governments, focusing on the country's primary entry points.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar highlighted the importance of integrated cooperation, as enforcement against cross-border economic crimes involves key state government jurisdictions, particularly ports and local authorities (PBT). This effort involves the issuance of premises licenses, including those for scrap metal shops and businesses dealing with used materials.
Shamsul Azri elaborated on the necessity for federal and state governments to work together to ensure smooth and effective enforcement measures. This statement followed the Federal and State Government Liaison Meeting (JPPN), which he chaired, attended by Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The federal government, in collaboration with state governments, has initiated the collection of data from local authorities on licensed premises nationwide to facilitate enforcement against operators violating regulations. Shamsul Azri mentioned starting this initiative in Selangor, focusing on profiling scrap metal premises to analyze data on issued and expired licenses.
Furthermore, the Cabinet has directed Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to review the Second-Hand Dealers Act 1946 to streamline legal provisions and address enforcement loopholes. Shamsul Azri disclosed that a recent inspection of 61 containers at Port Klang uncovered prohibited items, including e-waste, with nearly 200 tonnes seized. The estimated value of the seizure ranges from RM2.2 million to RM3.2 million, excluding national revenue losses and potential money laundering risks.
AKPS director-general Mohd Shuhaily assured that the agency would continue aligning its enforcement actions with government directives to enhance strategic operations. He emphasized that all information obtained from border monitoring would be shared with local authorities to enable broader and more coordinated enforcement actions.