ALL factories illegally processing plastic waste will be shut by local councils nationwide, said Zuraida Kamaruddin.

The housing and local government minister said her ministry is sending out circulars to that effect to all local councils.

“We are going to clean up,” she told reporters after her visit to Penang Port this morning.

“Only factories with APs (approved permits) to bring in imported plastic waste can get licenses from the local councils to operate.

“All local councils are to follow the ministry’s directive.”

Zuraida was asked to comment on illegal factories still processing plastic waste in Klang, Selangor despite the authorities taking action to shut down such operations.

Since China, which imported two-thirds of the world’s plastic waste, banned imported plastic waste on December 31 last year, Malaysia has become one of the top importers of UK scrap plastic.

Pulau Indah in Klang has become one of the region’s largest dumping grounds.

Klang environmentalist Chiam Yan Tuan told The Malaysian Insight recently that there are about 30 to 40 illegal waste processing factories surrounding the West Port, Telok Gong, and Pandamaran industrial areas.

Putrajaya recently banned 114 companies from importing waste and shut down dozens of illegal factories in Selangor, after complaints of environmental pollution.

Zuraida said the government recognised the huge business potential of plastic waste processing, which could amount to RM30 billion.

“But we will regulate the industry on a stricter basis now.

“We will only allow the import of clean plastic waste with the intention to phase it out in an appropriate time. We want to localise our plastic waste processing industry.” – November 14, 2018.