KUALA LUMPUR – Authorities have uncovered yet another illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing syndicate, this time in Pahang, in a major raid that exposed illicit operations worth an estimated RM410 million.
Factories in Pekan and Gebeng were stormed by enforcement teams, revealing large-scale processing of hazardous materials allegedly smuggled from China for resale in foreign markets.
The bust, led by the General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade in collaboration with the Kuantan Environment Department (DoE) and the Pahang Enforcement Unit, follows similar major crackdowns in Perak and Johor in recent days.
Authorities believe these syndicates form part of a larger, well-coordinated network illegally importing e-waste from China for processing at unlicensed factories before being resold or re-exported for industrial use.
According to a statement from the GOF Southeast Brigade, the raids, which began at 10.30am, targeted factories at the Simpai Palm Oil Estate in Pekan and the Gebeng industrial area.
“As a result of the raid, dozens of sacks containing various types of e-waste and scheduled waste, such as black powder containing copper and nickel, over 670 tonnes of waste containing silver – both processed and unprocessed – mixed scheduled items, various machines, and equipment for waste processing were found in the factory without valid documents from DoE,” said the statement.
Authorities detained a local man and two foreign nationals – one from China and one from Bangladesh – who were believed to be overseeing the illegal operation. The case is being investigated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the National Land Code Act 828.
This latest operation follows a series of high-profile e-waste syndicate busts across Malaysia. Just a day earlier, authorities in Perak uncovered an even larger illegal operation in Sg Siput, where RM1.3 billion worth of e-waste and machinery were seized.
The month-long investigation, which involved drone surveillance, led to the arrest of 27 individuals, including 14 Chinese nationals, 10 Myanmar nationals, and two locals believed to be the factory’s owner and supervisor.
Similarly, in Johor, marine police seized over RM71 million worth of illegal e-waste in Ulu Tiram on February 14. The raid targeted three factories believed to have been illegally storing and processing imported e-waste. Authorities arrested two foreign workers and seized nearly 2,400 tonnes of e-waste, along with various industrial machinery.
“GOF and DOE will continue to intensify efforts to dispose of e-waste properly to ensure the environment is not polluted by hazardous materials,” the statement concluded. – February 17, 2025