The environment department (DoE) said the e-waste had been brought in illegally to be disposed of, which was against the Basel Convention, which required permission from the receiving country and other transit points it passed through.

“According to the convention, all e-waste must be treated and disposed of in its country of origin, unless there are reasons of unavailability of such a facility in their own country,” the department said in a statement.

Electronic screen pads, circuit boards and other components which had been broken down into smaller parts were found in the container.

The DoE said it was an offence to import scheduled waste without prior permission from its director-general, carrying a RM500,000 fine or a maximum of five years’ jail upon conviction.

It said e-waste must be disposed of through proper methods as it contained heavy metals which could be hazardous to health if not managed in an environmentally sound manner.