The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday raided two e-waste recycling factories in Penang, suspected of bribing enforcement officers and causing significant tax revenue losses. The raids, part of Op Metal, targeted factories in Perai and Bukit Mertajam.

This operation follows the recent exposure of a scrap metal smuggling syndicate that falsely declared items to avoid a 15% export tax. Op Metal, a multi-agency effort involving the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board (IRB), and Bank Negara Malaysia, saw the MACC secure the premises, document 25 workers, and detain a man in his 50s, believed to be the chief operating officer.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that today, 13 additional locations across Penang, Kedah, Johor, and the Klang Valley were raided. The MACC is now identifying individuals colluding with the syndicate, which is believed to have smuggled scrap metal and e-waste through Port Klang and Penang Port, resulting in an estimated tax loss of over RM950 million over the past six years.