At the 14th Malaysia Iron and Steel Industry Federation (MISIF) Conference on 24 October
2024, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry YB Liew Chin Tong mentioned that “The independent committee has also uncovered a long-standing issue of illegal steel operations without manufacturing licence or local authority approval, which MITI is working with the relevant authorities to carry out enforcement actions.”
Nanyang Siang Pau, a local newspaper, reported, according to its own sources, more details about the topic.
Chronology of events
After receiving official complaints from MISIF and Malaysia Steel Association (MSA) against an illegal steel mill operating in Bestari Jaya, Selangor, YB Liew Chin Tong chaired two meetings, on 28 August 2024 and 5 September 2024, with multiple government ministries and agencies to discuss appropriate enforcement actions against these illegal operations.
The ministries and agencies involved were the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Department Of Environment, Immigration Department of Malaysia and the relevant local authorities.
YB Liew is also the chairman of Malaysia Steel Council, a consultative body consisting of relevant government agencies and the representatives of the iron and steel industry.
On 10 October 2024, an integrated operation was carried out against the said steel mill in Bestari Jaya, Selangor by the enforcement authorities, including the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Selangor), the Department of Environment, CIDB, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and Air Selangor.
Of the many non-compliant activities carried out at the steel mill, the largest concern was the production of construction products that did not comply with Malaysian Standards, which may compromise the safety of our buildings.
Further Action
Based on the information currently available to MITI, there are at least two other steel mills that are operating without Manufacturing Licenses. Apart from potentially producing sub-standard products, illegal steel mills operating without the necessary licences also exacerbate unfair competition with the legal steel mills.