Hee Loy Sian, the exco who is in charge of the environment, green technology, consumer and non-Islamic affairs said it would also hold a town hall meeting with stakeholders over the problem, but did not specify when the townhall would take place.
“We will be meeting her tomorrow,” he said, referring to the Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin.
Hee was commenting on a news report by Radio New Zealand (RNZ) which said that Malaysia has become a dumping ground for New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom to dispose of plastic waste.
The report said Malaysia became a popular alternative after China banned plastic imports this year.
The report also stated that almost 40 illegal recycling factories were set up in Jenjarom, Selangor, hidden in palm oil plantations.
“That way they can easily dump the contaminated water they use to clean the filthy plastics before they process them,” RNZ said.
Meanwhile, Ng Sze Han, the exco in charge of local government, public transportation and new village development, said the state government had been shutting down illegal factories for the past four months and 55 foreigners were arrested by local and federal enforcement agencies.
He said the state government was targeting illegal factories which did not have proper recycling facilities and equipment.
“The state government encourages recycling but it should not be in such a way. These factories failed to obtain DoE’s permit to operate and take in low quality plastics that are detrimental to the environment if they are not managed properly,” Ng said, referring to the Department of Environment.
The Kinrara assemblyman also said that the federal government should control the “source” of the plastic import from operators.
“We can only take action when the factories breach the state’s by-laws. They (federal government) should control the issuance of approval permit, or AP, to factories,” he said, adding that the Selangor government would take up this issue with Yeo and the housing ministry.
Meanwhile, Klang MP Charles Santiago questioned the federal government on why it allowed “toxic investment” that had no benefit to the Malaysian environment and people.
“What policy are we encouraging? We should not be the dumping ground for foreign countries’ trash here,” he said.
He added that there were a number of such factories operating in Teluk Gong and the Westport area in Port Klang and urged local authorities to take action.