PETALING JAYA: Those found importing illegal electronic waste (ewaste) into the country should face severe repercussions including being blacklisted, says an environmental activist.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) chief executive S. Mageswari urged the authorities to take stern action against those flouting the law.
“While tracking importers and exporters of illegal ewaste can be challenging due to transshipment, once identified, authorities must act decisively against the consignee or carriers.
“This means legal action and blacklisting of the companies and their directors,” she urged.
At present, under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127), violators face up to RM500,000 in fines, five years in jail, or both.
This will increase to a maximum of RM10mil and a mandatory jail term of up to five years once the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2023 comes into effect on July 7.
Mageswari, an honorary secretary at Sahabat Alam Malaysia, added that civil society groups have long campaigned to halt the trade in such materials and urge countries to manage their own ewaste.
“Developed countries often choose to offload their waste onto developing and under-resourced nations, disregarding their recycling, disposal or waste management capacities and the resulting harm to the ecosystem,” she said.
She also urged enforcement agencies to look into possible corruption along the supply chain.
Environment and waste management specialist Dr Theng Lee Chong agreed, adding that stringent enforcement was the only solution.
“Importation procedures also need improvement to tighten the clearance pathway,” he said.
Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia president and chief executive officer Andrew Sebastian said it is unfortunate that Malaysia is still seen or used as a hub for ewaste imports.
He said both the public and private sectors have to play their part to counter the menace.
“Ewaste... releases deadly toxins into water and air if badly managed.”
Andrew said the relevant ministries should look into updating the Environmental Quality Act 1974, and proposed whistleblower incentives for those who expose those bringing in such ewaste.
