By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 25: Around 175.393 metric tons (MT) of e-waste and 98.48 MT of materials other than e-waste were seized during an integrated operation called Ops Hazard between the Sarawak Department of Environment (DoE) and the General Operations Force (GOF) recently.
In addition, the DoE also issued two Equipment Operation Detention (POK) orders under Section 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974.
According to a press statement issued today, the operation was to enforce the law involving electronic waste (e-waste), which has pollution concerns, along with the potential to trigger criminal cases due to valuable parts, like certain precious metals, being found in e-waste.
The integrated operation was conducted in several locations in Sarawak, namely Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, and Miri, where seven premises were inspected.
Ops Hazard saw the involvement of five teams from the DoE consisting of 17 personnel, 93 from the GOF, three from the Air Wing Unit (PGU) of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and nine from the Miri City Council (MCM).
Under Section 34B of the EQA 1974, premises are prohibited from placing, depositing or disposing of or allowing the placement of scheduled waste unless a licence has been obtained under Section 18 of the same Act.
Violation of Section 34B, if convicted, can see the offender liable to a mandatory imprisonment sentence of not more than five years and a fine of not less than RM100,000 and not more than RM10 million.
Meanwhile, the violation of Section 18, if convicted, sees the offender liable to a fine of not more than RM50,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years or both and an additional fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after being given the notice to cease activities.
Members of the public who wish to report pollution activities can call the toll-free, 24-hour line at 1-800-88-2727 or send an e-mail to aduan_k@doe.gov.my through the DoE’s portal. — DayakDaily
