Tighten controls on waste processing, ban importation of e-waste

 

Many waste processing factories, including electronic waste (e-waste), operate in our residential areas, often releasing toxic substances or burning waste openly, polluting the air, water, and land. FILE PIC

LETTERS: For years, the residents of Kuala Langat, Klang and Hulu Selangor, including those from Banting, Jenjarom, Sijangkang, Olak Lempit, Telok Panglima Garang, Pulau Carey, Meru, Kapar, Rasa, and many more, have suffered greatly from pollution by irresponsible illegal waste processing factories and dumpsites.

Many waste processing factories, including electronic waste (e-waste), operate in our residential areas, often releasing toxic substances or burning waste openly, polluting the air, water, and land.

Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about illegal e-waste operations since 2019, yet the factories continued to operate, until recent enforcement actions.

We, the affected communities, will not tolerate the severe health and environmental threats posed by illegal waste processing. We demand continued strong action from the government to protect our villages, families, children, and future.

Burning e-waste releases toxic chemicals such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals into the air, which can cause respiratory problems, chronic diseases, and even cancer.

We often experience persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, and skin rashes. The deteriorating air quality has a negative impact, especially on our children and the elderly.

Toxic chemicals from e-waste factories are illegally dumped into rivers and drains, contaminating water sources. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium will seep into groundwater, making it unsafe for drinking and use in agriculture.

We are concerned that drinking water supply will be contaminated, exposing communities to the risk of poisoning. Farmers who rely on river water for irrigation are also unknowingly exposing their crops to toxic substances.

Aquatic life is also severely affected by pollution, causing declines in fish populations and the destruction of ecosystems, such as along the Langat River.

E-waste contains hazardous substances that leach into the soil when disposed of uncontrollably. These toxins accumulate in crops and enter the food chain, posing long-term health risks to consumers.

Cows often graze around illegal landfills in Kuala Langat and Klang. Soil pollution from e-waste will also cause soil health to decline and contaminate crops, affecting income and food security.

Continuous exposure to these hazardous substances can cause neurological disorders, developmental delays in children, and reproductive problems. This has a negative impact on the younger generation and future generations.

Therefore, we, as communities that constantly face pollution in our residential areas, demand immediate action from the government that include:

1. Permanent ban on importation of e-waste and reduce importation of other hazardous waste such as plastic waste.

Malaysia is no longer able to deal with the existing illegal waste. If the import of e-waste is allowed, this problem will get worse. The remaining waste generated during the recycling process or non-recyclable parts of electronics are often dumped in our areas, even creating a mountain in Kapar, Klang.

We demand strict action at ports, including at small private ports, to stop these wastes from being smuggled into Malaysia.

2. Stronger enforcement of licensed and Illegal factories

We urge the enforcement authorities to continue to conduct regular raids on waste processing factories, both licensed and unlicensed, nationwide.

Local governments such as the Kuala Langat Municipal Council, the Klang Royal City Council, and the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council, should take strict action by closing down and demolishing illegal factories, as well as confiscating their equipment.

The authorities must further ensure that illegal factories cannot operate again, and impose severe penalties on those involved in processing e-waste without permits.

The conditions to approve large processing factories must be strengthened so that heavy industries are not set up next to primary schools, as in Sungai Manggis, or close to residential areas, as in Olak Lempit.

3. Transparency in enforcement efforts

We call on the authorities to announce the locations of illegal factories found, the number of factories closed, the fines imposed, and the individuals prosecuted.

We also hope that the government will implement its promises regarding the action plan to prevent illegal e-waste smuggling and processing activities from recurring.

4. Environmental and health monitoring in affected areas, and rehabilitation of contaminated areas

The authorities must also conduct regular air, water, and soil quality assessments to monitor the level of pollution, as well as provide health checks and medical assistance to affected residents.

The results of these studies must be shared with the residents. The people have the right to know what is affecting us. Contaminated areas need to be rehabilitated, not simply flattened and covered with earth.

The health of our communities cannot continue to be compromised while illegal waste processing continues to operate freely.

KUALA LANGAT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION ASSOCIATION;

TAMAN CENDERAWASIH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH;

OLAK LEMPIT;

KLANG ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION ASSOCIATION;

TAMAN PERIANG RESIDENTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, BANTING;

KAMPUNG JENJAROM HEIRS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION;

SIJANGKANG RESIDENTS;

RASA ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COALITION

- NST

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The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the MMKtT.