Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will bolster its law enforcement to tackle the growing influx of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) from developed countries, as revealed by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. He highlighted that challenges in controlling the entry of such waste are primarily due to enforcement weaknesses, although the issue spans multiple agencies, including the Department of Environment, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Royal Malaysia Police.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nik Nazmi stated that the government is taking this issue seriously, acknowledging the existing enforcement gaps. The Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) was previously amended to increase fines up to RM10 million with mandatory imprisonment for violations. However, further improvements in legislation are underway, with a second phase of amendments currently being reviewed.

Nik Nazmi also mentioned Malaysia’s commitment to international regulations by signing the Basel Convention, which aims to regulate e-waste. The country is collaborating with non-governmental organizations like the Basel Action Network to combat the uncontrolled disposal of waste. One significant challenge is that the United States has not signed the Basel Convention, meaning e-waste exports from the country are not deemed illegal. Additionally, after China imposed stricter e-waste import restrictions, much of this waste has been redirected to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Media reports have previously pointed out that Malaysia continues to be a dumping ground for e-waste from developed nations, including the United States, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In response, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, through the Federal Territory Forestry Department, is expanding the size of Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) in the Federal Territory by gazetting Bukit Dinding in Mukim Ulu Kelang, covering an area of 20.05 hectares. This initiative will protect and preserve the area as green space, serving as a ‘green lung’ for its surroundings.

In a separate development, Nik Nazmi announced the introduction of the iPayment system at Taman Eko-Rimba Kuala Lumpur. This system is expected to enhance financial governance, prevent revenue leakage, and promote a cashless payment culture among the public.