11/02/2026

WEDNESDAY | FEB 11, 2026 3 Putrajaya, New Delhi coordinate on Myanmar MALAYSIA and India are stepping up cooperation on tourism and regional security amid mounting instability in Myanmar that continues to trigger refugee spillover affecting both countries, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat. Responding to Lim Guan Eng (Bagan–PH) on the outcomes of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit and bilateral cooperation on trade and regional issues, Mohamad said people-to-people ties remained the bedrock of Malaysia–India relations. “In 2025, 1.56 million tourists from India visited Malaysia. Overall, Malaysia received 40 million tourists, surpassing Thailand and tourism has become a major contributor to our economy. We are working to make it easier for tourists from both countries by improving facilitation and basic travel conveniences because people-to-people links are the strength of our relationship.” On regional security, Mohamad said stability remained a shared priority, particularly amid the prolonged crisis in Myanmar. “Malaysia is currently hosting more than 200,000 Rohingya refugees and instability in Myanmar has a direct impact on us. “India shares a 1,648km border with Myanmar and is also affected by refugee spillover, so India must be involved in any discussions on peace and security concerning Myanmar.” He said both countries regularly exchange views on managing the situation and continue engaging Myanmar authorities through diplomatic channels. “We cannot force Myanmar and engagement must be handled carefully because external pressure alone has not been effective. Instability in Myanmar must not be allowed to spill beyond its borders because it affects neighbouring states directly. “Malaysia, as part of Asean, cannot fully support the elections in Myanmar because they were not inclusive and not transparent.” On economic cooperation, Mohamad said bilateral trade between Malaysia and India is approaching US$19 billion (RM74.68 billion) and remains in Malaysia’s favour, with palm oil and electrical and electronic goods among key exports. On tariff issues involving the United States, he said Malaysia and India shared views but negotiated separately due to differing conditions. “The US prefers bilateral negotiations rather than multilateral discussions. Malaysia and India exchange views, but we negotiate with the US separately.” He said India had been offered a reduction from 50% to 18% but could not utilise the lower rate until its agreement is ratified, while Malaysia’s rate had shifted from 25% to 19%, with negotiations on specific terms ongoing. “The conditions faced by India and Malaysia are not the same. India, for example, faces pressure over its purchases of Russian oil, which has major implications for its economy.” Mohamad said Malaysia–India ties now span tourism, security, trade, technology and cultural cooperation, with both sides looking to deepen collaboration following Modi’s visit. “The relationship between Malaysia and India is not new. It has long existed, especially through strong people-to people ties, even before formal diplomatic relations were established in 1957. The official visit by Modi was aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations and building on the official visit by our prime minister to India in 2024.”

M’sia intensifies crackdown on illegal e-waste shipments

schoolchildren, has prompted intensified health surveillance, with the Health Ministry confirming it reflects a broader national pattern of TB cluster outbreaks. Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the cluster began on Jan 25 and expanded following extensive contact tracing. “It started with a 72-year-old Quran teacher as the index case. As of Feb 7, there are 37 cases – 29 children and eight adults. “A total of 903 close contacts have been identified and screened. Most cases were detected through active case detection.” Local reports earlier indicated the cluster involved communities around Felda Sungai Mas with schools sanitised after infections were detected among students while health teams screened hundreds of close contacts. All identified cases are receiving treatment PETALING JAYA: Illegal electronic waste continues to flow into Malaysia with hundreds of containers intercepted over the past five years as traffickers seek to dump their shipments here, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Kurup was responding to Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong and Pendang MP Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim who had asked about enforcement guarantees, the shutdown of illegal premises and integrity within the Department of Environment (DOE). He said more than half of the 1,241 containers inspected between 2021 and 2025 were found to contain e-waste. A total of 701 containers were detained, with 428 already repatriated to their countries of origin, he added. “Repatriation orders have been issued for the remaining cases under Section 31 of the Environmental Quality Act, based on customs manifests and bills of lading. “If repatriation cannot be carried out, such as when the owner cannot be identified, e-waste will be managed and disposed of safely using the environmentally sound management method at licensed DOE-recognised facilities.” Kurup said disposal follows full legal procedures including court proceedings under laws such as the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla), to ensure actions are lawful and orderly. The minister also highlighted a crackdown on illegal processing factories. “Through Ops Hazard 1 and Ops Hazard 2, 85 cases were acted upon – 21 premises were issued compounds while 64 cases were brought to court. To date, 11 cases have been concluded,” he said. Closures were carried out under Act 171 which governs licensing and enforcement of premises. Kurup said a special committee chaired by the inspector-general of police has been established while the chief secretary to the government has met local authorities in industrial zones to coordinate enforcement. Ű BY HARITH KAMAL AND FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Minister outlines repatriation orders, factory closures and inter-agency enforcement efforts

Kurup says disposal of e-waste will be managed using the environmentally sound management method at licensed DOE-recognised facilities. – SUNPIC

anti-TB treatment and monitored daily under directly observed therapy.” He also warned of the risks posed by latent infections. “Latent TB is dangerous because the bacteria can remain in the body without symptoms and reactivate when a person’s immunity drops.” Dzulkefly said vaccination coverage among newborns remains high. “Bacille calmette–guerin (BCG) vaccination coverage for newborns in Malaysia is around 99%. However, there is still no effective TB vaccine for adults.” He added that antimicrobial resistance is an emerging global threat. “What we are facing today is antimicrobial resistance – resistance to antibiotics, including TB drugs. This is a major global challenge and a serious future threat when antibiotics can no longer effectively treat infections that were once easily cured.” power or corruption will not be tolerated,” Kurup assured, adding that DOE operations will continue smoothly, with manpower reinforced as needed. The discussion comes after the recent arrests of DOE director-general and deputy director general by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) under the MACC Act 2009. The arrests, which also involved company directors and other DOE officers, are part of an ongoing investigation into bribery and abuse of power linked to illegal e-waste processing and disposal. Separately, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who chaired the federal and state governments’ liaison meeting yesterday, said the federal government will intensify enforcement against e waste smuggling, particularly at major entry points, through a “whole-of-nation” approach that emphasises close coordination with state governments. He added that integrated cooperation is vital, as tackling cross-border economic crimes requires action in two areas under state authority – ports and local authorities. “At the local authority level, this includes the issuance of premises licences, such as those for scrap metal shops and businesses dealing with used or worn-out materials. “Cooperation between the federal and state governments is essential to ensure enforcement measures are carried out smoothly and effectively.” Shamsul Azri added that the federal and state governments have begun collecting data from local authorities on licensed premises nationwide to support enforcement against operators found flouting regulations.

The said Malaysia has become a target for e-waste shipments due to tighter import restrictions in China and high demand from illegal, unlicensed processing factories. minister

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT

“In 2025, a total of 88 TB clusters were reported nationwide, involving 254 TB cases. Of these, 35 clusters are still active. As of Feb 7, 10 new clusters have been reported, with Selangor recording four.” He was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Kuala Langat–PH) who sought the latest status by state, active monitored cases and control measures in high-risk institutions. On control measures, Dzulkefly outlined screening and treatment protocols in settings such as boarding schools, prisons and worker dormitories. “Screening in high-risk institutions such as boarding schools, prisons and worker dormitories includes symptom checks, chest X rays, sputum tests and rapid molecular testing. “Confirmed patients are given immediate “False declarations of imported goods and the valuable metals contained in e-waste have also attracted illegal operators. “To combat this, we have strengthened control mechanisms at border entry points and enhanced enforcement with Customs, port authorities, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency and the police. “The ministry is also working with international organisations, including the Basel Convention Secretariat, to curb illegal imports.” Kurup said Malaysia’s ban on e-waste imports, effective Feb 4, aligns with the Basel Convention and domestic law. Under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, any placement or transit of scheduled waste into Malaysia without approval carries penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment and fines ranging from RM100,000 to RM10 million. Enforcement will target all parties involved, including importers, logistics agents and carriers. “For e-waste that enters the country illegally, the primary course of action is repatriation to the country of origin, in line with Malaysia’s commitments under the Basel Convention.” Kurup said the ministry has also set up a special task force to strengthen governance, improve enforcement and oversee staff. “Investigations will be conducted transparently and independently. Any abuse of

Health Ministry steps up monitoring after TB cluster detected A TUBERCULOSIS (TB) cluster in Kota Tinggi that has infected dozens, including and are being closely monitored, Dzulkefly said. He later told Dewan Rakyat that the outbreak reflects wider TB transmission nationwide.