The Malaysian Customs Department recently announced that illegal electronic waste (e-waste) has been smuggled through false declarations, prompting stricter enforcement measures.
According to local customs authorities, a special operation conducted at Port Klang in Selangor from August to December 2024 revealed that 306 out of 336 containers contained electronic waste. The cargo was immediately handed over to the Department of Environment (DOE), which stated that the smuggled waste had been disguised as “scrap metal” or “plastic waste.”
Malaysia strictly prohibits the illegal movement of e-waste under the Basel Convention and has pledged to work with the international community to eradicate such illicit trade. The Malaysian Department of Environment emphasized that “e-waste smuggling is not just an environmental issue but also poses severe risks to public health and the economy,” signaling stringent law enforcement actions.
In collaboration with customs authorities, the Department of Environment inspects containers, and if e-waste is found, the items are sent back to their country of origin. From 2023 to 2024, the department conducted over 500 container inspections at ports nationwide, identifying 462 containers in 2024 and 47 in 2023. Among these, 140 containers have been returned to their country of origin, with the remaining shipments awaiting repatriation.
Additionally, a recent operation called “Op Hazard” led to the seizure of over 15,000 metric tons of e-waste from 47 facilities, with ongoing investigations and legal proceedings in accordance with relevant laws.
The Department of Environment stressed that these illegal activities pose significant risks to the environment and public health. It reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating e-waste smuggling through strict law enforcement and international cooperation.
The Societal Threat of Illegal E-Waste
The issue of e-waste smuggling in Malaysia extends beyond environmental concerns, posing severe threats to national sustainability and economic stability.
Continuous inflows of illegal e-waste could overwhelm the government’s waste management system, making it difficult to implement effective environmental protection policies. The surge in illegal waste would deteriorate public spaces and negatively impact industrial zones and urban infrastructure. Toxic substances found in e-waste, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, can contaminate soil and water sources, endangering public health.
Such contamination can lead to polluted drinking water, reduced agricultural and fisheries productivity, and significant economic losses. Furthermore, the rise of unauthorized recycling operations due to illegal e-waste dumping increases the risk of labor exploitation and illicit trade. This, in turn, complicates regulatory enforcement and may weaken legal frameworks over time.
Between January 2024 and February 17, 2025, Malaysia identified 90 illegal e-waste processing plants nationwide, uncovering illicit assets worth approximately 3.8 billion ringgit (860 million USD).
To combat this crisis, Malaysia has pledged to strengthen its crackdown on e-waste smuggling. However, it is crucial to recognize that this issue is both an environmental and a criminal concern. Given its international scope, effective resolution requires the cooperation of all stakeholders. Companies must establish legal recycling systems and work to raise public awareness. Additionally, neighboring countries should acknowledge that Malaysia’s e-waste crisis is not merely a domestic issue but one with global implications, warranting collective action.
Global security threats such as environmental degradation and the spread of infectious diseases often have widespread consequences and are difficult to preemptively address. Therefore, a holistic, global effort is essential. We must view Malaysia’s illegal e-waste problem with a broader perspective and foster a wider sense of social empathy toward the issue.
