PETALING JAYA: Environmental and consumer groups have hailed an absolute ban on electronic waste (e-waste) imports, adding that strict enforcement is crucial to prevent illegal smuggling and protect public health.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) welcomed the move, announced by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday, following the second meeting of the Special Task Force on the Enforcement Management Roadmap for Plastic and E-Waste Imports.
A three-month moratorium on plastic waste imports was also proposed.
In a joint statement, Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman and CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader described the measures as “critical to protecting both the environment and public health,” adding that they send a clear message: Malaysia will not tolerate being treated as a dumping ground for hazardous waste.
“Firm and coordinated enforcement by all relevant agencies is essential to ensure the ban’s effectiveness,” the statement said, echoing MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s warning that waste traffickers exploit loopholes and may bribe officials to bypass the law.
The groups highlighted Malaysia’s obligations under the Basel Convention, which bars industrialised nations from dumping e-waste in developing countries.
Since 2025, all internationally traded e-waste requires prior informed consent, not only items labelled as hazardous.
Despite the ban, the groups said illegal shipments could still slip through ports, often disguised as second-hand or repairable electronics or mixed scrap metal, with organised crime and corruption facilitating the trade.
“Electronic and electrical components contain heavy metals and toxic substances. Illegal dumping and unregulated recycling release pollutants into air, soil, dust and water, posing risks to workers and communities.”
The groups emphasised that strong enforcement must match strong laws.
Their recommendations include robust customs procedures, tighter border controls, targeted inspections, cracking down on corruption and penalties commensurate with environmental and public health impacts.
They also urged improvements to Malaysia’s domestic e-waste collection system to feed licensed recycling facilities and close loopholes allowing shipments to be disguised as repairable or reusable equipment.
They also said local authorities must act on community reports and proactively patrol to uncover illegal operations.
“Cleanup and remediation of contaminated soil and water are costly. Reduced crop yields, poisoned rivers and threats to livelihoods underscore why strong enforcement is critical.”
They emphasised that ending the waste trade and curbing smuggling is essential to safeguarding the country.
