SANTUBONG, Jan 14 — The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is expected to introduce household e-waste management and control legislations by 2018, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said the decision was agreed upon at the meeting of state Environment Ministers and Executive Committee Members responsible for the environment (Mexcoe) here today.
“The Department of Environment (DOE) is cooperating with the Japan Cooperation Agency (JICA) to develop the household e-waste management and control system.
“DOE will look into and get legal advice from the ministry and if the legistation is ready, by 2018, we (Malaysia) will have a system and legislation relating to the management and handling of household e-waste,” he told a media conference after chairing the Mexcoe 2016 here today.
He said Malaysia already had a system of e-waste disposal from the industry but had yet to have a management and control system for household e-waste disposal of household items such as air conditioners, refrigerators, computers and mobile phones.
“At present the people are likely to throw household e-waste into the drains, bushes and regular rubbish bins which brings about adverse effects to the environment if we do not take immediate action,” he said.
Also present were its Deputy Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri and ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Azizan Ahmad.
Mexcoe is a formal forum to encourage cooperation and coordination between the federal and state governments in the management of environmental issues. — Bernama
