KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has revealed that “insiders” within the Environment Department attempted to sabotage an operation linked to the management of electronic waste (e-waste) conducted by MACC investigators.
Azam disclosed the matter in an audio podcast clip published on the MACC’s official TikTok page today, linking the alleged sabotage to senior officers of the department.
“Today, two senior officers — the director-general and the deputy director-general — were arrested for accepting bribes.
“Yesterday, their people sabotaged the raid we carried out.
“This shows how when individuals are not only unhealthy in conduct — I observed that the director-general was not well, yet became ‘well’ when taking money — such unhealthy thinking allows negative elements to seep in, leading to corruption that ultimately harms others,” he said.
Azam confirmed that the two Environment Department officers were detained at about 6.30pm after they appeared to give statements at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
The media had earlier reported that the MACC would intensify investigations into illegal e-waste imports following intelligence findings that between 2,000 and 3,000 containers of e-waste had been smuggled into the country through major ports.
Further intelligence gathered by the MACC also revealed that foreign nationals are believed to be the masterminds behind the illegal importation of e-waste, plastic and paper for recycling purposes.
The investigation also uncovered suspected collusion involving authorities in cases linked to prolonged pollution caused by illegally imported e-waste entering the country.
On Monday, it was reported that 16 bank accounts containing about RM10.2 million were frozen, while cash amounting to RM87,000 and seized items valued at about RM220,000 were confiscated.
The actions were taken following investigations into alleged corruption involving e-waste processing, effluent discharge and scheduled waste disposal under Op Nature.
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