Teluk Panglima Garang: Police have not ruled out the possibility that illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing activities raided under Op Hazard nationwide are linked to organised crime syndicates, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He stated that although investigations under Op Hazard began under the Firearms Act 1960, police expect to uncover something larger.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the police are exploring the potential involvement of organised crime or national security threats. The Home Minister emphasized the reliance on police expertise to direct the course of the investigation. Saifuddin made these remarks after inspecting the illegal e-waste processing premises in Teluk Panglima Garang, which was raided on February 15. The raid led to the discovery of almost 50 tonnes of shell casings, bullets, and live ammunition.

Saifuddin Nasution highlighted that the investigation is ongoing, with intelligence reports suggesting the continued operation of illegal e-waste processing premises. These sites are currently under scrutiny. He received a preliminary briefing from Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan at Bukit Aman, noting positive developments in the investigation but refrained from disclosing further details to avoid interfering with the process.

Additionally, Saifuddin mentioned that police are searching for a foreign national believed to be one of the illegal e-waste processing companies’ owners. The total value of seizures from these operations since last year is estimated at RM3.9 billion. He pointed out that the country’s laws, under the Department of Environment, permit only the processing of domestic waste, and licenses issued are for domestic waste sources only. Over 50 licences have been granted to entrepreneurs; however, processing waste from abroad is not legally sanctioned, rendering such e-waste processing activities illegal.