All plastics exports that have been brought into Malaysia under false declaration would be returned to the exporting origin countries. Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the illegal practice, which has been used by exporters to gain profit, is in violation of the Basel Convention — an international treaty that regulates the movement of hazardous materials between countries. According to reports, over 100 containers in Westports, Port Klang, alone hold contaminated and suspicious plastic materials which have not been checked, and are being wrongly declared as non-waste. Yeo told reporters that “among the countries that have been exporting these materials are the UK, US, Australia, Germany and Spain.” The containers have been brought into the country under the code Harmonised System 3920, which exempts the exporters from getting a permit to export, which is considered as false declaration. An investigation shall be conducted to find the source of the illegal plastic waste recycling as the contaminated plastics are generally not accepted by licensed factories.

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The Malaysian Reserve