Ops Hazard 2.0: Seven premises licensed to process e-waste probed for smuggling materials from overseas
KUALA LUMPUR: Seven premises licensed to process e-waste are being investigated for allegedly bringing in e-waste from overseas illegally.
Department of Environment (DOE) enforcement division director Rosli Zul said that based on investigations conducted on 57 premises raided in Ops Hazard 2.0, seven of them had legitimate licenses to process e-waste.
"However, we discovered that there were some e-waste materials believed to have been smuggled from overseas.
"We have to investigate further. If it is true, then it is a very serious violation," he told a press conference in Bukit Aman on Thursday (June 19).
He said Malaysia was one of the countries targeted by international syndicates as a destination to send illegal e-waste.
"More than 600 containers have been detected in Port Klang. The items were declared as recyclable items, but it is instead e-waste.
"Most of the illegal e-waste factories in the country do not use environmental control mechanisms; thus, the pollution permitted from the processing is highly dangerous," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
RM500mil worth of illegal e-waste seized
Major bust: Comm Azmi speaking at a press conference on Ops Hazard 2.0 in Bukit Aman. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: A staggering half a billion ringgit worth of illegal e-waste, including components and products, was seized in a nationwide operation involving 57 premises. Codenamed Ops Hazard 2.0, the multi-agency raid was spearheaded by the police's General Operations Force and uncovered a web of crimes, possible tax evasion and exploitation of foreign labour. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said 453 people, aged between 16 and 70, were arrested, with 41 of them Malaysians, while the rest were foreigners from countries including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia and the Philippines. The Inland Revenue Board also estimated potential tax evasion losses of up to RM500mil linked to the illegal operations, he said. 'Among the offences detected were conducting illegal e-waste processing business, employing undocumented migrants and operating without valid business licences,' Comm Azmi said during a press conference at Bukit Aman yesterday. Seized items included RM240mil worth of e-waste products, RM182mil in components and RM82mil in various other assets. He said the latest operation brings the total value of seized e-waste materials since January to RM13.2bil, with 1,060 individuals detained. 'Ops Hazard 2.0 has increased the pressure on the illegal e-waste industry,' Comm Azmi said, adding that syndicates are adapting by using proxies, exploiting loopholes and possibly even receiving tip-offs ahead of raids. In some cases, targeted premises were found already closed when enforcement teams arrived, raising suspicions of information leaks. 'We will work with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to curb this problem. We also believe the syndicates have become more cautious since Ops Hazard 1.0,' he said. A total of 1,582 officers and personnel were involved in Ops Hazard 2.0. Meanwhile, Environment Department enforcement division director Rosli Zul revealed a worrying twist: seven of the raided premises were licensed e-waste processors, now under investigation for allegedly importing waste illegally. 'These facilities had valid licences, but we found some e-waste materials believed to have been smuggled in from overseas,' he said. 'We have to investigate further. If confirmed, it would represent a very serious violation of the law.' Malaysia, Rosli added, continues to be targeted by international e-waste syndicates. 'Over 600 containers have already been detected at Port Klang. Many were falsely declared as recyclable items but actually contained e-waste. 'Most of these illegal factories lack proper environmental control mechanisms. The pollution resulting from their operations is highly dangerous,' he warned.
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (June 19, 2025)
Malaysia * Ensure the word 'Islam' not used arbitrarily to benefit any party, says Selangor Ruler * Highway graft probe: MACC records Tan Sri's statement for over seven hours * Govt reform agenda progressing consistently, not mere rhetoric, says PMO * Sibu undergrad loses more than RM100,000 to bogus online investment scheme * Shafie denies NPL write-off allegation * Ipoh City Council cleans up clutter-filled house for fifth time in five years * Anwar stays mum on appointment of new IGP * MSM reiterates call for tariff to curb dumping of imported sugar * Govt will provide detailed explanation on SST amendments, says Anwar * Education Ministry to table amendments on compulsory secondary education next month * Killing elephants is 'murder', says Sabah minister over spate of deaths in Tawau * Sabah polls: BN's central, state leaders in sync, says Zahid * Cops nab three of six escapees from Jelebu rehab centre * RM500mil in e-waste seized in Ops Hazard 2.0 * Man nabbed over daylight robbery of Langkawi goldsmith * Infant dies after being crushed under father's arm as he suffered fatal heart attack * Johor fully equipped to receive more Japanese investment, says Invest Johor CEO * Lorry driver gets 10 years in jail, 20 strokes for raping 11-year-old daughter * Uni student nabbed for having self-produced child sexual abuse material among other pornographic content * SST on imported goods including fruits may be reviewed, says Zahid * Two held, drugs worth nearly RM11mil seized in Bukit Kayu Hitam, say cops * Woman claims trial for uploading fake marriage cert of marriage to royalty on TikTok * Sarawak takeover of MASwings set to realise tourism potential, says Abdul Karim * Eleven people suffer breathing difficulties after car catches fire at KL condo * Sukuk misuse case: MACC at Tan Sri's house for third round of questioning * MCMC files civil action against two Telegram channels Singapore * Four people, including two firefighters, taken to hospital after fire in Singapore's Holland Close flat * Singapore confirms two Zika cases in Woodlands * Audrey Fang death: Suspect Mitchell Ong linked to DNA found on victim's body * Jail, caning for Singapore man who had over 300 videos, photos of child pornography * NUS retains 8th spot, NTU climbs to 12th in latest global university rankings * Standard Chartered cuts jobs in Singapore; moves them to India: Finance jobs portal Indonesia * Indonesia secures US$2.3bil foreign investment for data centre development * Putin hosts Indonesia's Prabowo in Russia in bid to deepen ties * Tiny homes for young urbanites in Jakarta draw criticism over liveability * Flights to Indonesia's Bali resume after disruption by volcano eruption * Indonesia calls for restraint, offers support for global peace efforts * Caution roars loud in a land of dragons * Flights stop, thousands in limbo Thailand * United Thai Nation Party holds off on coalition decision, seeks talks with PM Paetongtarn first * Thai PM Paetongtarn faces political collapse after leaked phone call scandal * Thai-Cambodian border closure has limited impact on Thailand: Agriculture Ministry * Thai celebrity chef Ton's first Malaysian eatery Sood features fun Thai cuisine * Thai durian exports soar thanks to enhanced services at China's Youyiguan border * Thailand summons Cambodia envoy over crisis-causing audio leak * Thai PM apologises for leaked Cambodia call as crisis threatens to topple govt * Thai Army chief reaffirms commitment to democracy and national sovereignty, urges unity * Paetongtarn convenes urgent meeting of military top brass to discuss Cambodian tensions * People's Party demands dissolution of Thai parliament, government reset * Thai PM faces growing calls to quit in Cambodia phone row * Thai Cabinet rift over key post risks shaking ruling bloc Philippines * Marcos open to talks on Philippines rejoining International Criminal Court, says Malacanang * Philippines central bank cuts policy rate by 25 bps, as expected * Killing of P200 pay hike bill also kills bid for living wage in Philippines * Filipino director Fifth Solomon taken to hospital after mental breakdown caused by online bullying * Trump's proposed remittance tax raises alarms among Filipino migrants Vietnam * National Press Festival celebrates 100 years of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press * Jail for Vietnamese woman who helped sister to obtain bank accounts, ATM cards for use in scams * Vietnamese exporters seek logistics solutions amid yo-yoing US tariffs * Vietnam party chief calls on newly merged southeastern city to become international megacity Myanmar * Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi marks 80th birthday in junta jail Cambodia * Cambodia's US$78mil Koh Kong highway passes inspection * Epicentre of global cyber scams Laos * Lao bank uncovers corruption with losses of 1.5bil kip Brunei * Five Bruneians arrested for role in international drug syndicate * System downtime affects import, export services in Brunei Aseanplus * Chinese woman survives 22 stabs in knife attack, breast implants stop fatal injuries * Former K-pop singer Taeil admits to rape charge, prosecution seeks 7-year prison term * Subsidies spur spending in China's 618 shopping fiesta but momentum could fade * Air India plane crash: Black box to be sent to United States for data extraction * Tok Mat to lead M'sian delegation at OIC foreign ministers meet in Istanbul * HK star Kenneth Ma says part of his salary goes to wife Roxanne Tong and his parents * Saudi lets off 47 unauthorised M'sian pilgrims with warning, says Religious Affairs Minister * Greta Thunberg, once unpopular on Chinese social media, rises in esteem on Gaza * Air India says plane 'well-maintained' before crash * Pink pond in Chinese village sparks fear of toxic water * Malaysian pop-rock legendary band Spider goes full swing with their all-out acoustic show at the 'Spider Unplugged' concert * Japan deploying two defence aircraft for possible Mideast evacuation * Malaysia records first Covid-19 death of 2025 * China may offer to play 'constructive' role in mediating Iran-Israel conflict * Asean ministers agree to Langkawi joint statement on overcoming school dropouts, says Fadhlina * Indian canteen worker's hopes dashed, no second miracle in air crash * China activates emergency response to flooding in nine regions * Ringgit extends downtrend against US dollar * iQIYI's new Xianxia drama 'Feud' is winning rave reviews and now a big favourite in South-East Asian countries * Use of technoloy, competent teaches among efforts to address dropout issues in Asean, says Fadhlina * China customs seize over 40,000 fake Labubu toys * So Ji-sub responds to 'Mercy For None' backlash * Defence Ministry ready to help repatriate Malaysians in Iran if directed, says Khaled * Public servants barred from statements undermining govt policies * Domestic tourism expenditure up 25.6% to RM106bil in 2024 * Mushroom murder suspect fell sick from same meal: Defence * Japan prepares planes for Iran, Israel evacuations * Asean Higher Education Minister meeting kicks off June 19 in Langkawi * Asian stocks, FX fall on Mideast woes; Philippine, Taiwan rate decisions in focus * US will strike N. Korea if South attacked with nukes: South Korea spy chief nominee * Malaysia will speak up against Israeli aggression without fear, says Anwar * China set to further advance financial opening-up * As Iran-Israel hostilities mount, Chinese and Indian citizens among foreigners scrambling to flee * Gold prices rise as Middle East conflict buoys demand * South-East Asia's budget airlines bet on travel demand, despite competition woes: Analysis * Want to howl and eat raw food for work? 'Wild Man' job in Chinese national park goes viral * As China sees boom in humanoid robotics, firms pay 3 times national average * PM Anwar slams Israeli strikes on Iran as 'punitive, unprovoked' * Malaysia, Russia to sign MoU on disaster management cooperation this year * 'It was unfortunate', says Anwar on leaked audio between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen * Air India cuts foreign wide-body flights by 15% after crash * Top pros - Goh-Izzuddin, Goh-Shevon join Road to Gold in bid for Olympics glory * Asian stocks drop after Fed warning, oil dips with Mideast in focus * Analysis-Australia's teen social media ban faces a new wildcard: teenagers * Asian stocks slip, gold gains with yen as Middle East conflict rages * Tariff talks with Washington have been excellent, says Anwar * Ringgit softens vs US$, but rises against basket of currencies * FBM KLCI opens sideways after US rate hold * Fan Bingbing posts rare photo with parents, 74YO dad goes viral for youthful looks * 70% of Malaysian varsities rise in latest QS global rankings * Oil settles higher as Iran-Israel conflict enters sixth day * Austerity push targets civil servants' dining practices * Wet season brings hidden danger of heatstroke * A step towards regional unity
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
RM10.3mil in illegal e-waste seized in Sabah crackdown
KOTA KINABALU: Authorities seize more than RM10.3mil worth of illegal e-waste and detain 44 individuals in Sabah. The joint enforcement operation, codenamed Ops Hazard 2.0, was carried out on Monday (June 16) across 16 locations identified as hotspots for unlawful e-waste collection and handling. Sabah General Operations Force (GOF) commander Datuk Abdul Rani Alias said the raids were conducted in multiple districts, including Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Tuaran, Keningau, Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Sandakan. 313 personnel were involved in the integrated operation, representing various agencies, including the Environment Department, Customs Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Labour Department, local authorities and the Health Ministry. 'From the operation, 44 individuals were detained – 23 local men, five local women, and one child. We also arrested 10 men and five women from the Philippines and Indonesia,' he said in a statement on Thursday (June 19). Investigations revealed that all raided premises were illegally buying and collecting e-waste without proper authorisation or compliance with environmental laws. The seizures included a wide range of discarded electronic and electrical items, with the total value estimated at RM10.3mil. Abdul Rani said several offences were detected during the operation. These included violations of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its subsidiary legislation, the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005, for the illegal handling and storage of scheduled waste. Other offences were committed under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for the presence of undocumented foreign nationals, the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for illegal trading activities, and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 for non-compliance with public health regulations. Additional breaches involved the Food Act 1983, the Fire Services Act 1988, the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Cap. 67) for employment violations, and the Trade Licensing Ordinance 1948 for operating without valid business licences.
