Malaysian customs officials detained 301 shipping containers on suspicion of containing illegal e-waste imports. "Following coordinated inspection and detention efforts by the relevant agencies", it had been determined that 106 of the containers did contain waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad on LinkedIn last week. Additional investigations were still being carried out by the DOE [environment department], he added.
According to the minister, the disposal of scheduled waste either on land or into Malaysian waters, or the transit of e-waste without the approval of the Director-General of Environment is punishable with a sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to MYR500,000 (ca. €99,000). Stricter financial penalties and mandatory jail time are among the measures due to go into effect under amendments to the country's Environmental Quality Act in two weeks, according to the government news agency Bernama....
