Latest news with #GOF
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.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
IGP orders border crackdown after fatal KL shootings
KUALA LUMPUR: Police units tasked with border protection have been instructed to tighten control measures and step up intelligence-gathering efforts to curb firearms smuggling into Malaysia. The directive follows two fatal shootings in the capital over four days, which resulted in three deaths. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the General Operations Force (GOF) had been ordered to reinforce its presence along the nation's borders, particularly in the northern region, to deter smugglers from bringing in firearms. "GOF intelligence teams have also been tasked with gathering information on such activities to complement ongoing efforts by state police units along the border," he told the New Straits Times. Commenting on the recent shootings in Kuala Lumpur, Razarudin said the cases appeared to be isolated incidents, and the state police are working to identify and apprehend those responsible. He reassured the public yesterday that security in the capital remained under control and that the situation was calm, despite the recent incidents in Brickfields and Cheras. "These were not random acts. There were clear motives behind the shootings," he added. Police are currently identifying suspects in the fatal shooting of two men outside a shopping mall on Jalan Loke Yew, Cheras, which occurred at 12.48am on June 17. The attack took place in front of a convenience store adjacent to the mall, involving several individuals in black ski masks travelling in a Perodua Alza. A 28-second video clip shows five assailants — some wearing helmets and masks — running towards the victims, who were approaching their vehicle. The suspects fired multiple shots at one man behind the car, and then at the second man as he attempted to enter the same vehicle. He collapsed beside the red car. In another incident on June 13, a man was killed and two others injured after they were shot while dining at a restaurant on Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, at 10.50pm. The victims, aged between 30 and 50, were eating with friends when two assailants on a motorcycle approached and opened fire. One of the victims died at the scene from his injuries.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Six nabbed at illegal jetty for attempting to cross border
RANTAU PANJANG: Six people were arrested during a routine patrol under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan after attempting to cross the border illegally via the Gergaji illegal jetty here last night. The group, detained by the General Operations Force (GOF), comprised four foreigners and two locals. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said the suspects were nabbed around 7pm upon their arrival at the Golok riverbank. "Personnel from the Ninth Battalion GOF spotted two local men, one Thai man and three Thai women at the Gergaji illegal jetty. "Checks revealed that five of the suspects did not possess valid travel documents to enter or exit Malaysia, while one Thai woman had no form of identification," he said. Datuk Nik Ros said five of the suspects were detained under Section 5(2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. "The woman arrested without identification, is held under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act," he added. All six have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Pasir Mas district police headquarters for further action. The latest arrests bring the total number of people detained for crossing into Malaysia via illegal routes along the Kelantan-Thai border during a two-week period beginning from the recent Aidiladha celebration, to 43.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Op Hazard Sarawak: 20 arrested, RM19.6 mln in e-waste seized
Enforcement personnel at one of the raided premises. – GOF Sarawak photo KUCHING (June 18): Twenty persons were detained and over RM19.6 million worth of electronic waste and equipment were seized during Op Hazard 2.0 Sarawak raids conducted statewide on June 16. The operation was led by the General Operations Force (GOF) in collaboration with the Immigration Department, local councils, Department of Environment and police. GOF Sarawak Brigade deputy commander ACP Rosdi Inai said two raids were conducted here, one each in Kota Samarahan and Sibu, and two in Bintulu. 'From 10am to 9pm on June 16, we successfully detained 13 locals, including one woman aged between 24 and 58, as well as seven foreign nationals aged between 21 and 32. 'Further inspections uncovered various types of unprocessed e-waste, scrap materials, and equipment believed to be used to dismantle electronic components to extract precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper,' he said in a statement today. He added that the illegal activities were believed to have been carried out covertly in remote areas to avoid detection by the authorities, with the extracted materials then sent to Peninsular Malaysia for further processing. 'Stern action will be taken as this activity not only violates the law but also poses significant threats to the environment and public safety,' he said. The case is being investigated under several laws, including the Environmental Quality Act 1974, Immigration Act 1959/63, Scrap Metal Act 1946, and relevant local authority by-laws concerning hygiene. Rosdi said GOF Sarawak remains committed to working closely with relevant agencies to combat environmental crimes and ensure greater compliance with the law. He said from Jan 1 up until today, GOF Sarawak has recorded 228 cases with total seizures amounting to RM284.7 million, involving 340 arrests and 189 seized vehicles.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Sarawak GOF seizes nearly RM20mil worth of e-waste
KUCHING: The Sarawak Brigade General Operations Force (GOF), in an integrated operation with other enforcement agencies, seized electronic waste worth almost RM20 million in six raids conducted in the state. Sarawak GOF deputy commander, Assistant Commissioner Rosdi Inai said the "Op Hazard 2.0 Sarawak" operation, conducted between 10am and 9pm on Monday resulted in 20 arrests, involving 13 locals and seven foreigners. He said the local suspects consisted of 12 men and one woman aged between 24 and 58, while the foreigners involved six men and one woman aged between 21 and 32 years. "The six raids were carried out at several locations suspected of carrying out electronic waste processing activities without a valid license. They involved two locations in Kuching, one in Kota Samarahan, one in Sibu and two in Bintulu," he said in a statement today. Further inspection at the locations involved also found several items suspected to be unprocessed electronic waste, worn-out goods and various types of equipment, with an estimated value of RM19,638,213.45. Rosdi said it was also found that the syndicate involved illegally purchased and collected electronic waste from surrounding areas before sending it to the peninsula to be broken down to obtain precious metals, such as gold, silver and copper that could be recycled. "It is understood that this syndicate also operates in remote premises to avoid detection by the authorities," he said. He said all the suspects had been handed over to the police and the Immigration Department, while the seized items were handed over to the Sarawak Department of Environment and the D4 Criminal Investigation Department for further action. – BERNAMA
