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New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- New Straits Times
E-waste factory raided, 300 tonnes of aluminium ingots worth RM2.1mil seized
MELAKA: Police seized 300 tonnes of aluminium ingots worth about RM2.1 million during a raid on a factory illegally processing used electronic goods (e-waste) at the Bukit Rambai Industrial Area here today. During the 11am operation, which was conducted jointly with the Department of Environment and the Inland Revenue Board, the raiding team also arrested 25 factory workers comprising Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Myanmar nationals, aged between 20 and 45. State police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the illegal factory, which had been operating for the past three months, was uncovered following intelligence gathered by the authorities over the past week. "This factory is believed to have been involved in dismantling and melting electronic components to produce aluminium ingots. "During the raid, 300 aluminium ingots, each weighing one tonne, were seized, with an estimated total value of RM2.1 million. "Raw materials such as remote controls and closed-circuit television (CCTV) components awaiting processing were also confiscated," he said during a press conference at the site today. Dzulkhairi said preliminary investigations showed the factory had allegedly been importing electronic waste from abroad for processing here before re-exporting it to China and other countries. He said further investigations are underway to trace the factory's owner, adding that authorities do not rule out the possibility of links to other companies operating similar illegal activities. The case is being investigated under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act and Section 55(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- The Sun
RM2.1m aluminium ingots from illegal e-waste factory seized in Melaka
MELAKA: Police have confiscated 300 tonnes of aluminium ingots, suspected to be produced from processed electronic waste, during a raid on an illegal factory in Bukit Rambai. The estimated value of the seizure is RM2.1 million, marking one of the largest e-waste-related busts in the state. Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar stated that the operation followed a week-long surveillance involving multiple agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police, Department of Environment, and state Inland Revenue Board. The factory had allegedly been operating illegally for three to four months, with prior summonses issued for other violations. Authorities also seized unprocessed raw materials from electronic items such as remote controls and CCTV cameras. A total of 25 foreign workers, aged between 20 and 45 and originating from China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, were detained during the raid. Investigations suggest the e-waste was imported for dismantling and processing before being re-exported, likely to China and other high-demand markets. Dzulkhairi noted that developed countries prohibit such activities due to environmental and health hazards, raising concerns that Malaysia may be exploited as a transit hub. The case is being probed under the Minor Offences Act and Immigration Act, with potential fines of up to RM10 million if convicted. Authorities are also examining possible links to a broader illegal e-waste processing network. – Bernama
Barnama
15-07-2025
- Barnama
RM2.1 Mil Worth Of Aluminium Ingots From E-waste Seized
MELAKA, July 15 (Bernama) -- Police today seized 300 tonnes of aluminium ingots, believed to have been produced from dismantled and smelted electronic waste (e-waste), during a raid on an illegal factory in the Bukit Rambai industrial area. Melaka police chief, Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar, said that the initial estimated value of the seizure was RM2.1 million, making it one of the largest e-waste-related confiscations in the state to date. He said that the raid followed a week-long surveillance operationand involved multiple agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), through the Special Branch and Melaka Tengah Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with the Department of Environment (DOE) and the state Inland Revenue Board (IRB). 'The raid was carried out at around 11 am, and the factory is believed to have been operating illegally for the past three to four months. Previous records also show that the premises were issued with summonses last year for other offences,' he said, at a press conference held at the raid site, today. 'Also seized were raw materials from various electronic items, including remote controls and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, which had yet to be processed,' he added. A total of 25 foreign workers, aged between 20 and 45, and comprising Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Myanmar nationals, were also detained during the raid. He added that the electronic waste was believed to have been imported from abroad, to be dismantled and processed locally before being re-exported, likely to China and other countries with high demand. 'As we know, developed nations do not permit such activities on their soil due to the environmental and health risks involved,' he added. 'We believe that this syndicate may be exploiting Malaysia as a transit hub, and investigations are underway to determine if other companies are part of a wider illegal e-waste processing network,' he said.
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's forests generate up to RM3.5 bln annually in economic value, says Forest Department director
Hamden delivers his welcoming speech at the event. – Photo by Jude Toyat KUCHING (July 12): Sarawak's forests contribute an estimated RM2.8 billion to RM3.5 billion annually to the state's economy through both tangible and intangible values, said Sarawak Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohammad. This underscores the immense economic importance of the forest ecosystem, extending beyond timber production, he said. In terms of tangible value, Sarawak's 7.65 million hectares of forests generate between RM2.1 billion and RM2.5 billion annually — including RM1.5 billion from timber and non-timber products, RM300 million to RM500 million from ecotourism, RM230 million to RM380 million from carbon, and RM50 million to RM100 million from bioprospecting and pharmaceuticals. For intangible values, the forests are estimated to contribute between RM750 million and RM1 billion each year. This includes RM600 million to RM800 million from ecosystem services, RM100 million from health and recreation, and RM50 million to RM100 million from cultural heritage. The estimated value of carbon stock alone ranges from RM20 billion to RM40 billion. 'Sarawak's forests hold priceless treasures, from tangible resources to unseen natural blessings. 'Their total value is estimated to reach RM2.8 billion to RM3.5 billion annually, a natural heritage that must be preserved for generations to come,' he said in his welcoming speech at the state-level celebration of the International Day of Forests (IDF) 2025, held at the Forest Research Centre here today. Themed 'Forests and Food', this year's IDF event which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, aimed to highlight the importance of forests as sources of sustainable food, income, and traditional knowledge. 'Sarawak is rich in biodiversity and culture, and many communities rely on forests not just for timber, but also for food, medicine, and spiritual needs. 'For example, wild kelulut honey from Ulu Baram and Kapit contributes to both the health industry and local income. Herbs such as tongkat ali, medicinal roots, and forest mushrooms are recognised as superfoods, and the Penan community possesses extensive ethnobotanical knowledge, which is now being studied by both local and international researchers,' said Hamden. He explained that over 60 per cent of Sarawak's land area is still forested, providing crucial services such as disaster mitigation, water catchment, biodiversity conservation, and carbon storage. 'These forests are home to over 8,000 plant species and 200 mammal species, and they also hold immense cultural and spiritual value for local communities,' he added. Hamden also shared several key achievements under Sarawak's forest conservation efforts. Among them is the early success of the state's 35-million-tree planting target, which has now surpassed 50 million trees as of today. 'On June 8, 2024, the Premier himself planted the 35 millionth tree. Today, we have reached 50 million trees — well ahead of our 2025 target,' he said. He added that more than 1.2 million hectares of land have been gazetted as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs), while forest restoration, plantation development, and community-based logging initiatives involving the Penan, Iban, and Lun Bawang communities continue to expand. 'Technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), drones, and artificial intelligence are also being used to improve forest monitoring and data collection,' said Hamden. He also acknowledged the support of various partners including the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Sarawak Timber Association (STA), Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd, government agencies, NGOs, the private sector, media, and the organising committee. The event also featured the official launch of the Forest Resources One Stop Gallery, developed under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) with a federal allocation of RM1.105 million. 'This gallery will serve as a hub for learning, research, and promotion of forest-based products from Sarawak,' said Hamden. More than 20 exhibition booths were set up, with participation from local communities showcasing forest-based products such as madu kelulut, nira nipah, and gula apong. The ceremony also included a signing of memorandums of understanding (MoU) between the Forest Department, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), aimed at strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation for high-impact sustainable forest initiatives. Hamden then called on all parties to continue working together to preserve Sarawak's forest heritage. 'Let us not allow forests to remain only on maps, but ensure they flourish and benefit future generations. 'As the saying goes: If we care for nature, Insya-Allah, nature will care for us,' he added. environmental Hamden Mohammad sarawak economy Sarawak Forests Department
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes RM2.1mil smuggled cigarettes in Kelantan
TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized more than RM2.1 million worth of contraband cigarettes and arrested one man during a series of raids conducted across three locations here between July 6 and yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said the raids were carried out under Op Taring Alpha 1 by the Eighth Battalion at the Kampung Kuala Tanjung jetty, Jalan Kampung Morak, and Pantai Geting. "Over the three-day operation, our team seized 1,137,400 white cigarettes believed to have been smuggled into the country. "A 29-year-old man was arrested during a raid at Jalan Kampung Morak. "He is believed to have been hired to deliver the contraband to a specific destination," he said in a statement today. No arrests were made at the other two locations, he added. Nik Ros Azhan said the seized cigarettes and the suspect have been handed over to the Tumpat district police for further investigation. The case is being investigated under Sections 135(1)(d) and 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.
