Klang: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) will intensify port controls, particularly at Port Klang, to block the entry of illegal waste. Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that the ministry takes a serious view of any attempt to use Malaysia as a gateway for importing or dumping illegal waste.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Department of Environment (DOE), in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, will continue to carry out enforcement activities. ‘The Ministry will not compromise with any party attempting to turn this country into a dumping ground for waste,’ the minister asserted. He emphasized that all importers must fully comply with regulatory requirements and warned of strict legal consequences for any violations.
Nik Nazmi revealed that since March 14, the Selangor branch of the Customs Department has detained 354 containers suspected of carrying e-waste and plastic waste that entered Malaysia via Port Klang, particularly North Port. These inspections were initiated following information from a United States-based non-governmental organization about the arrival of such containers.
He further explained that multiple enforcement and technical agencies, including the DOE, National Solid Waste Management Department, Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation, and SIRIM Berhad, will continue inspecting the remaining unopened containers. Between January 1 and May 13, the DOE inspected 179 containers suspected of carrying e-waste, confirming that 122 of them, or 68 percent, contained such waste. Due to false declarations by importers, 119 directives were issued under Sections 31 and 37 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, mandating the return of these containers to their country of origin.
In another development, Minister Nik Nazmi urged state governments to allow rare earth element (REE) mining, provided it adheres to stipulated conditions and standard operating procedures, to ensure a stable feedstock supply. He clarified that the federal government aims to transform the nation into a hub for REE mining and generate added value through downstream activities like resource processing.
He commented on the recent milestone by Lynas Rare Earths Malaysia, which has commenced production of separated heavy rare earth elements. According to earlier reports, Lynas began production at its Gebeng facility, making it the only commercial producer of such materials outside China. Lynas announced in a statement last week that it had successfully produced dysprosium oxide through its new production line, with terbium production expected to commence next month.