Latest news with #EnvironmentalQualityAct
The Sun
27-05-2025
- The Sun
Illegal e-waste recycling operations a growing concern
ALOR SETAR: The illegal operation of facilities recycling electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has become an increasingly pressing concern, despite recent amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 that impose stiffer penalties on offenders. Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said several premises involved in the illegal processing and disposal of e-waste in the state have already been identified and action taken. 'Some cases have resulted in convictions, while others are still being processed in court. Illegal e-waste operations generate substantial profits, which is why this activity continues to spread, even though the maximum penalty now reaches RM10 million,' she told reporters. Sharifah Zakiah was speaking to reporters after launching the Environmental Management and Compliance Seminar 2025, organised by the department in collaboration with the Kedah Environmental Club (KASKED). The event drew 430 participants, including exhibitors from industry players across the country. She noted that the amendments to the Environmental Quality Act, which came into force on July 7 last year, are aimed in part at curbing the illegal import and smuggling of e-waste into the country. 'If violations are detected involving the import, storage, processing or disposal of e-waste, offenders now face fines of up to RM10 million, compared to RM500,000 previously, and mandatory jail sentences of up to five years,' she said. Sharifah Zakiah also stressed that poor management of industrial and domestic waste could contribute to serious environmental degradation, underscoring the importance of effective environmental governance and strict compliance with laws and regulations. She called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to pollution control and urged the public to act as the 'eyes and ears' of enforcement agencies by reporting any suspicious activities to facilitate prompt action. 'This isn't just the government's responsibility. It requires the full involvement of all parties, including industry, the community, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and individuals. 'As development continues to strain environmental sustainability, the media also plays a key role in spreading awareness and encouraging a collective sense of responsibility,' she added. The two-day seminar, which concludes tomorrow, includes presentations on legal compliance, industrial pollution management, environmental monitoring and community engagement in environmental protection.
The Star
27-05-2025
- The Star
Illegal e-waste recycling operations a growing concern, says Kedah DOE
ALOR SETAR: The illegal operation of facilities recycling electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has become an increasingly pressing concern, despite recent amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 that impose stiffer penalties on offenders. Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said several premises involved in the illegal processing and disposal of e-waste in the state have already been identified and action taken. "Some cases have resulted in convictions, while others are still being processed in court. Illegal e-waste operations generate substantial profits, which is why this activity continues to spread, even though the maximum penalty now reaches RM10mil,' she told reporters. Sharifah Zakiah was speaking to reporters after launching the Environmental Management and Compliance Seminar 2025, organised by the department in collaboration with the Kedah Environmental Club (Kasked). The event drew 430 participants, including exhibitors from industry players across the country. She noted that the amendments to the Environmental Quality Act, which came into force on July 7 last year, are aimed in part at curbing the illegal import and smuggling of e-waste into the country. "If violations are detected involving the import, storage, processing or disposal of e-waste, offenders now face fines of up to RM10mil, compared to RM500,000 previously, and mandatory jail sentences of up to five years,' she said. Sharifah Zakiah also stressed that poor management of industrial and domestic waste could contribute to serious environmental degradation, underscoring the importance of effective environmental governance and strict compliance with laws and regulations. She called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to pollution control and urged the public to act as the 'eyes and ears' of enforcement agencies by reporting any suspicious activities to facilitate prompt action. "This isn't just the government's responsibility. It requires the full involvement of all parties, including industry, the community, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and individuals. "As development continues to strain environmental sustainability, the media also plays a key role in spreading awareness and encouraging a collective sense of responsibility,' she added. The two-day seminar, which concludes on Wednesday (May 28), includes presentations on legal compliance, industrial pollution management, environmental monitoring and community engagement in environmental protection.- Bernama
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Palm oil mill fined RM90,000 for polluting Melaka waterways
MELAKA: A crude palm oil mill in Kuala Linggi has been fined RM90,000 by the Sessions Court in Ayer Keroh here for three offences of failing to comply with licensing conditions set by the Melaka Environment Department. The department's director Rosli Mustafa said that the court imposed a fine of RM30,000 for each charge on the company on Wednesday (May 21). He said the representative of the company present in court paid the fines the same day. "The charges against the premises of the accused involved failure to comply with licence conditions issued under Section 18(1) of the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974. "Investigations found that there was a leak from the effluent discharge channel at the premises of the company, which then entered inland waterways and led to complaints of water pollution. "The court imposed a fine of RM90,000 for the three charges under Section 16(1) of the EQA, punishable under Section 16(2) of the same Act," he said.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Marine Police confiscates unlicensed frozen meat worth RM6.2 mln in Bintulu
Stacks of the undocumented frozen meat found from a premises at Jalan Sultan Iskandar. BINTULU (May 20): The Sarawak Region 5 Marine Police Force (PPMW5) seized various types of frozen meat worth RM6.2 million during a raid at a premises along Jalan Sultan Iskandar last Thursday (May 15) for lacking valid documentation. Acting Commander of PPMW5 Sarawak, Supt Rusdin Banin, said in a statement yesterday that the operation, carried out under 'Op Taring Khazanah', involved a team of officers and personnel from the unit. 'The inspection revealed that the premises were being used to store various types of frozen meat, suspected to be imported and meant for distribution in the local market,' he said. Further checks confirmed that the stock did not have valid documentation. A local man, believed to be the owner of the premises, was detained to assist in the investigation. The seizure and arrest were made under the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 and the case has been handed over to the Bintulu Division Veterinary Department for further action. The case is also being investigated under three other laws ― the Control of Supplies Act 1961, the Environmental Quality Act (Amendment 2012), and the Food Act 1983. If found guilty, the suspect may face a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. frozen meat lead Marine Police Force Region 5 raid undocumented
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Stricter control at ports to curb e-waste dumping in Malaysia
PORT KLANG: Port controls will be intensified, particularly at Port Klang, to block the entry of illegal waste, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said the ministry takes a serious view of any attempt to use Malaysia as a gateway for importing or dumping illegal waste. He said the Environment Department (DOE), in collaboration with the Customs Department, will continue to carry out enforcement activities. 'We will not compromise with any party attempting to turn the country into a dumping ground for waste. 'All importers should fully comply with regulatory requirements, as any violations will be met with the strictest legal action,' he told reporters after inspecting containers suspected of containing illegal waste at the North Port here yesterday, Bernama reported. Nik Nazmi said since March 14, the Selangor Customs Department has detained 354 containers suspected of carrying e-waste and plastic waste that entered Malaysia via Port Klang, particularly North Port. 'The inspections followed information received from a non-government organisation based in the United States regarding the arrival of containers from there,' he said. He added that multiple enforcement and technical agencies, including the DOE, the National Solid Waste Management Department, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation, and Sirim Berhad, would continue inspecting the remaining unopened containers. Between Jan 1 and May 13, the DOE inspected 179 containers suspected of carrying e-waste, of which 122, or 68%, were confirmed to contain such waste. 'Further investigations showed the importers had made false declarations. As a result, 119 directives were issued to these companies under Sections 31 and 37 of the Environmental Quality Act, requiring the containers to be returned to their country of origin,' he said.
