Melaka: Police today seized 300 tonnes of aluminium ingots, believed to have been produced from dismantled and smelted electronic waste (e-waste), during a raid on an illegal factory in the Bukit Rambai industrial area. Melaka police chief, Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar, stated that the initial estimated value of the seizure was RM2.1 million, marking it as one of the largest e-waste-related confiscations in the state to date.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the raid followed a week-long surveillance operation and involved multiple agencies. The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), through the Special Branch and Melaka Tengah Criminal Investigation Department (CID), collaborated with the Department of Environment (DOE) and the state Inland Revenue Board (IRB) in the operation.

The raid, conducted at around 11 am, revealed that the factory had been operating illegally for the past three to four months. Previous records indicated that the premises had been issued summonses last year for other offences. Raw materials from various electronic items, including remote controls and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, which had yet to be processed, were also seized.

During the raid, authorities detained 25 foreign workers, aged between 20 and 45, comprising Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Myanmar nationals. The electronic waste was believed to have been imported from abroad, dismantled, and processed locally before likely being re-exported to China and other countries with high demand.

Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar expressed concerns over the exploitation of Malaysia as a transit hub for such activities, citing environmental and health risks. Investigations are underway to determine if other companies are part of a wider illegal e-waste processing network.

The case is being investigated under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act and Section 55(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. If convicted, those involved could face fines of up to RM10 million, under provisions enforced by the Department of Environment.