Following the money trail behind Malaysia's e-waste trade

PORT KLANG: Authorities are tracing the financial and physical networks behind Malaysia's e-waste trade, with hundreds of abandoned containers linked to anti-money laundering investigations and enforcement teams targeting suspected illegal storage facilities inland.

Of the 1,257 containers abandoned at Port Klang in 2024 and 2025, 772 were linked to police investigations, 375 were handled by the Customs Department and 112 by the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA).

The containers held an estimated 31,475 tonnes of electronic waste.

MCBA Port Klang commander Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said police were investigating 772 containers under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The investigations could help establish the businesses and players behind the shipments, including the roles of importers, consignees and shipping agents, as well as the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the containers.

He said information shared between MCBA and Bukit Aman, particularly the Internal Security and Public Order Department and Anti-Money Laundering Unit, had yielded results.

He said MCBA had also passed intelligence to the Internal Security and Public Order Department through its deputy director, Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi, to facilitate enforcement against premises suspected of illegally storing or handling e-waste after it entered the country.

"He has been proactive in conducting operations based on intelligence from us."

"In one operation, 25 foreigners were detained in a raid on a suspected illegal e-waste storage facility in Kapar.

"Items worth about RM3.1 million were seized."

Information from the MCBA Port Klang joint task force showed that offences involve the Environmental Quality Act 1974, Immigration Act 1959/63 and licensing regulations under the Klang Royal City Council.

Nik Ezanee said the operation illustrated the wider enforcement challenge once e-waste moved beyond the country's entry points.

"Investigators must not only identify who brought these shipments into Malaysia, but also the premises and operators involved in storing, dismantling or processing e-waste illegally.

"Authorities need to trace both sides of the trade, the financial transactions and companies behind the shipments, and the movement of the material once it reaches Malaysia."

He said establishing those connections could prove crucial in preventing another accumulation of unwanted e-waste.

"Clearing abandoned containers tackles the immediate problem at the port.

"Following the money trail and shutting down illegal facilities can help authorities disrupt the network that allows the trade to operate in the first place."