KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia will step up enforcement efforts against the import of illegal electronic waste (e-waste) into the country, including setting up a special port branch, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Arthur Joseph Kurup said on Wednesday.

The special unit will be managed by the ministry's Department of Environment (DOE), Arthur told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony to mark the 51st DOE Enforcement Day.

"We are working on two fronts. First, to establish a special DOE branch in the port areas. Second, to increase the number of officers. With this, we can meet the growing manpower demand for an ever-increasing workload," he said.

"We are also continuously carrying out integrated operations with other agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police," he said.

Noting that Malaysia remains a destination for illegal e-waste and that syndicates are colluding with certain industry players in the country, Arthur said enforcement efforts are ongoing, directed against such networks, with 582 million ringgit (about 147.14 million U.S. dollars) in total seizures and 515 individuals detained since April 6. ■