THE public and civil society need a safe channel  to lodge reports on illegally imported and dumped waste, as well as on the corruption involved, Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) said.

The graft watchdog is making the call following reports that waste from abroad, such as contaminated plastics, is being dumped illegally in Malaysia; and that some illegal plastic-recycling factories are “protected” by influential people.

It said residents associations, civil groups and whistleblowers need a direct, safe and effective means to lodge complaints with a dedicated authority, which cannot be disregarded or deferred without providing feedback to the complainant.

“Information kills corruption – we need transparent systems put in place to increase law enforcement independence and to expose the secret hands of the corrupt.”

The group said the problem could not have happened without corruption.

“TI-M is appalled by the extent of foreign waste dumping that has been discreetly polluting our homeland.

“We fully support the swift and stern actions of the Energy, Science, Technology Environment and Climate Change (MESTEC) Ministry in cracking down on these illegal dumping sites and welcome the government’s stance on sending back over 3,000 tonnes of waste to their countries of origin.

“However, it is clear that 3,000 tonnes of waste do not slip through our borders overnight. Such (a) monstrous amount of waste had to be sanctioned to pass through Customs, and minister Yeo Bee Yin has said the plastic waste was falsely labelled. 

“Could this happen without the knowledge of the authorities guarding our borders?” TI-M said in a statement last night.

The organisation said the imported waste had to be verified and approved by the local authorities; and moved to locations under the jurisdiction of local councils for storage or disposal.

If complaints were lodged with the local councils and law enforcement authorities, TI-M said transparent and swift investigations should had been initiated against illegal waste disposal sites as quickly and swiftly as it has been in the past few weeks.

“What has become clear recently are reports of influential individuals with titles hindering action and protecting these illegal operations.”

TI-M was referring to reports that an influential individual with a “Datuk” has been protecting illegal plastic and tyre recycling factories operating around Kampung Teluk Gong in Port Klang.

Bernama reported earlier this week that there are about 50 licenced and unlicenced plastic and tyre recycling factories in the area; and locals were reluctant to get involved in because of this “Datuk”.

The national newswire also reported that Klang Municipal Council (MPK) personnel also did not dare to monitor the issue because of alleged harassment by thugs.

Selangor Environment Department (DoE) Shafee Yasir also reportedly told Bernama that his officers inspecting illegal plastic-recycling factories were “monitored” by unidentified individuals.

“TI-M notes that lack of political will and support, and other challenges may hinder law enforcement authorities from carrying out their job.

“However in this example it is clear the rot spans the entire ... chain from the leaders to the ground staff. 

“This is further aided by the opaque and secretive nature of all these organisations, which are trusted as gatekeepers to prevent turning Malaysia from the world’s tropical garden into the world’s dumpster,”  TI-M said.

Malaysia, like several other countries in the region, has become a recipient of plastic waste from many developed countries after China banned the import of used plastic since January last year. – May 31, 2019.