Latest news with #MeenakshiRaman
Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Consumers, manufacturers key to enforcing EV battery recycling in Malaysia, say environmental groups
Manufacturers must also be legally mandated to take responsibility for the safe disposal or recycling of EV batteries. PHOTO: ST FILE PETALING JAYA - The government's plans to push for the recycling of depleted electric vehicle (EV) batteries must be enforced among both manufacturers and consumers to be environmentally sustainable, say environmental groups. Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said manufacturers or importers of EVs must be legally required to collect back the same number of EV batteries as the vehicles they sell or bring into Malaysia. 'Failure to do so should result in fines or legal penalties. Companies that design longer-lasting or easier-to-recycle batteries should be rewarded with tax incentives. 'There must also be clear guidelines, good enforcement and proper facilities in place because used batteries could end up being dumped or handled in unsafe ways, causing harm to the environment and public health. 'Only licensed certified companies should be allowed to handle used EV batteries,' said Ms Meenakshi. She also urged the government to invest in propping up local recycling facilities and the development of an EV battery passport initiative that would track key battery information such as composition, origin, usage history and recyclability. 'An EV battery passport system will allow for better resource management as this makes it easier to identify which batteries can be reused, repurposed or need to be safely dismantled. 'Grants or tax breaks should be given to companies that invest in recycling technology or use recycled materials. 'The government should also consider supporting second-life uses for EV batteries such as repurposing them for solar energy storage before they are fully recycled, extending each battery's life and reducing waste,' she added. Environment Protection Society of Malaysia vice-president Randolph Jeremiah said manufacturers must be legally mandated to take responsibility for the safe disposal or recycling of EV batteries. 'Manufacturers must be made to establish their own recycling facilities, either domestically or in their country of origin or partner with local specialised recyclers. 'Extra tax benefits could be offered for those that invest in their own local recycling infrastructure as it strengthens Malaysia's circular economy ecosystem, allowing for the prevention and better handling of other environmental issues in the long run. 'Consumers must also be legally mandated to return used batteries to designated collection points for a cost, creating a closed-loop ecosystem where fiscal and environmental responsibility is shared by both consumers and manufacturers. 'This model would ensure long-term economic and environmental viability while preventing potential crises from inadequate recycling capacity,' he added. EcoKnights president Amlir Ayat proposed that a dedicated task force be set up to oversee this issue, particularly related to the disposal of EV battery waste that cannot be recycled. 'Any policy on EV battery recycling must be concrete, with continuous monitoring and enforcement being diligently conducted to ensure there are no potential legal or management loopholes which could lead to toxic waste management under the guise of recycling. 'The critical part now is securing the commitment from all parties, particularly the producers and consumers, through clear communication to avoid any such risks which may lead to disastrous consequences,' he said. He also urged the ministry to continue gathering public feedback on the matter. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Consumers, manufacturers key to enforcing EV battery recycling
PETALING JAYA: The government's plans to push for the recycling of depleted electric vehicles (EVs) batteries must be enforced among both manufacturers and consumers to be environmentally sustainable, say environmental groups. Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said manufacturers or importers of EVs must be legally required to collect back the same number of EV batteries as the vehicles they sell or bring into Malaysia. 'Failure to do so should result in fines or legal penalties. Companies that design longer- lasting or easier-to-recycle batteries should be rewarded with tax incentives. 'There must also be clear guidelines, good enforcement and proper facilities in place because used batteries could end up being dumped or handled in unsafe ways, causing harm to the environment and public health. 'Only licensed certified companies should be allowed to handle used EV batteries,' said Meenakshi. She also urged the government to invest in propping up local recycling facilities and the development of an EV battery passport initiative that would track key battery information such as composition, origin, usage history and recyclability. 'An EV battery passport system will allow for better resource management as this makes it easier to identify which batteries can be reused, repurposed or need to be safely dismantled. 'Grants or tax breaks should be given to companies that invest in recycling technology or use recycled materials. 'The government should also consider supporting second-life uses for EV batteries such as repurposing them for solar energy storage before they are fully recycled, extending each battery's life and reducing waste,' she added. Environment Protection Society of Malaysia vice-president Randolph Jeremiah said manufacturers must be legally mandated to take responsibility for the safe disposal or recycling of EV batteries. 'Manufacturers must be made to establish their own recycling facilities, either domestically or in their country of origin or partner with local specialised recyclers. 'Extra tax benefits could be offered for those that invest in their own local recycling infrastructure as it strengthens Malaysia's circular economy ecosystem, allowing for the prevention and better handling of other environmental issues in the long run. 'Consumers must also be legally mandated to return used batteries to designated collection points for a cost, creating a closed-loop ecosystem where fiscal and environmental responsibility is shared by both consumers and manufacturers. 'This model would ensure long-term economic and environmental viability while preventing potential crises from inadequate recycling capacity,' he added. EcoKnights president Amlir Ayat proposed that a dedicated task force be set up to oversee this issue, particularly related to the disposal of EV battery waste that cannot be recycled. 'Any policy on EV battery recycling must be concrete, with continuous monitoring and enforcement being diligently conducted to ensure there are no potential legal or management loopholes which could lead to toxic waste management under the guise of recycling. 'The critical part now is securing the commitment from all parties, particularly the producers and consumers, through clear communication to avoid any such risks which may lead to disastrous consequences,' he said. He also urged the ministry to continue gathering public feedback on the matter.
The Star
18-05-2025
- The Star
SAM: Bio-detection tools vital to curb wildlife smuggling
PETALING JAYA: Border authorities at the international gateways should be equipped with bio-detection technologies to curb wildlife smuggling attempts, says an environmental group. Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said aside from using sniffer dogs at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) currently, the authorities should use devices that could detect heart beat or carbon dioxide. 'The airport needs to be upgraded and equipped with these facilities and this should be done soonest, seeing that there are many cases of wildlife trafficking. 'Lessons can also be learned from the airports in India where rising numbers of smuggled wildlife end up. 'The country's enforcement has benefited from sharper customs profiling, manual screening and intelligence-led approaches,' she said. Meenakshi also said India has stepped up its response through training programmes led by Traffic, WWF-India and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, focusing on detection, legal procedures and forensic skills. 'More public education is equally critical. Greater awareness of the consequences of wildlife trafficking on biodiversity, public health and national security can help reduce demand for exotic pets,' she said. Last month, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said a total of 10 investigation papers have been opened in connection with wildlife smuggling activities at KLIA between 2023 and April this year. The ministry said the cases involved the smuggling of exotic and native species such as turtles, snakes, birds and primates. From January 2023 to March this year, collaboration between Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) had led to the rescue of RM5.4mil worth of protected wildlife. MAHB said among the key efforts were through the deployment of two Belgian Malinois sniffer dogs, gifted by Perhilitan, to detect hidden wildlife in luggage. According to Perhilitan, there were attempts to smuggle 4,200 exotic animals from KLIA in 2024, a 42% increase from 2023. In 2022, half of the 56 smuggling attempts in India arrived in that country via Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, WWF-Malaysia welcomed the move, saying that it supports enforcement agencies carrying out joint operations, capacity building and intelligence sharing. 'We collaborate with multi-agency initiatives such as Ops Bersepadu Khazanah and engage with platforms like the Malaysia Wildlife Enforcement Network to help disrupt smuggling syndicates and protect endangered species such as the Malayan tiger, pangolin and sun bear. 'Wildlife smuggling is a serious transboundary crime that threatens biodiversity, undermines national security and damages Malaysia's international reputation,' it said in a statement. While commending the government's commitment, WWF-Malaysia also urged the public to play their part and support the government's efforts by not keeping, buying or consuming any wildlife or wildlife parts to curb demands of wildlife trafficking. Wildlife trade monitoring network, Traffic Malaysia, told The Star that there is likely a vast network of smuggling syndicates that operate in the country. It said the syndicate will typically involve funding and connections to source the wildlife before packaging and sending them to the destinations. 'Upon investigation, a typical trafficking chain could involve countless hunters and collectors, hundreds of people to plan, store, care for and move the animals, and numerous transport hubs across the world to enable this level of supply,' it said. Traffic Malaysia said for cases involving live wildlife, it usually involved juvenile animals, most likely to feed a demand for exotic pets. Referring to several attempted smuggling cases in Indian airports that originate from Kuala Lumpur, Traffic Malaysia said there is also a great variety from across the globe and not necessarily from the country of departure. 'For instance, Indian authorities found a marble polecat and red-eared slider turtles in the luggage of a traveller from Malaysia. 'These species are not found in Malaysia. They've also discovered other turtles and tortoises from North and South America and various countries in Africa in luggage originating in Malaysia,' it said. Gibbons, often seen in such seizures, could have originated from Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand, it added.
Free Malaysia Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Resignations not enough, green group says on appointment of SPAN boss
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An environmental group is insisting that Abdul Kadir Din's appointment as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) be revoked despite him resigning from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said Kadir's resignation from these posts 'does not provide sufficient comfort and assurance'. 'The mere likelihood or perception of the potential for a conflict of interest remains in the public eye, given the chairman's links to these companies,' SAM president Meenakshi Raman said in a statement. She said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. 'SPAN is meant to be an independent body to supervise and regulate water supply and sewerage services, which is a vital function to be performed in the public interest, free from the influence of vested interests.' Yesterday, the energy transition and water transformation ministry confirmed that Kadir had resigned from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms, amid concerns over a possible conflict of interest. It said that resigning from these posts was mandatory for appointment to the position. The ministry said Kadir had also stepped down 'several years ago' as adviser to Ranhill Holdings Bhd, which provides water supply services and operates water and wastewater treatment plants, among others. The ministry said each member of the commission, including the chairman, was subject to a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy, and that Kadir had no authority to make executive decisions unilaterally. It was responding to Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who had raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the governance of the water sector following Kadir's appointment. Kadir was appointed as SPAN chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago whose two-year term had come to an end.
Daily Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Resignations not enough, green group says on appointment of SPAN boss
Published on: Friday, May 09, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 09, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: An environmental group is insisting that Abdul Kadir Din's appointment as chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) be revoked despite him resigning from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said Kadir's resignation from these posts 'does not provide sufficient comfort and assurance'. 'The mere likelihood or perception of the potential for a conflict of interest remains in the public eye, given the chairman's links to these companies,' SAM president Meenakshi Raman said in a statement. She said the chairman of any commission must be independent and, in this case, remain unconnected to the water supply or sewerage services industry. 'SPAN is meant to be an independent body to supervise and regulate water supply and sewerage services, which is a vital function to be performed in the public interest, free from the influence of vested interests.' Yesterday, the energy transition and water transformation ministry confirmed that Kadir had resigned from his posts at private water and waste management-related firms, amid concerns over a possible conflict of interest. It said that resigning from these posts was mandatory for appointment to the position. The ministry said Kadir had also stepped down 'several years ago' as adviser to Ranhill Holdings Bhd, which provides water supply services and operates water and wastewater treatment plants, among others. The ministry said each member of the commission, including the chairman, was subject to a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy, and that Kadir had no authority to make executive decisions unilaterally. It was responding to Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who had raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the governance of the water sector following Kadir's appointment. Kadir was appointed as SPAN chairman effective May 5, replacing former Klang MP Charles Santiago whose two-year term had come to an end. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
