I was under the impression people actually bought this waste. That would suggest theres someone in Malaysia say, that's in on this smuggling operation? And if they're going to such lengths as smuggling waste, that suggests there is money in it. So is there only money because everything's unregulated and these processors are avoiding disposal costs. Or is more a story of these countries not having the infrastructure to recycle such a huge volume?
Some of the current ministers are going so far as to brand the owners of these companies as traitors.
Malaysia is beginning to understand the consequences of their environmental decisions, and there is a growing awareness of the impact of palm oil plantations and single use plastics.
Source: live in Malaysia
Would you go with the 'rich westerners dumping their rubbish on you' narrative? Do you think its a potentially valuable industry that you aren't currently equipped to deal with effectively, or what?
As a westerner I don't really want to be exporting rubbish around the world, but I'm aware that this could be someone's job, and potentially a valuable industry for poorer countries, so I don't want to unilaterally decide to stop it.
Malaysia is home to some of the only growing coral reefs in the world, has a growing population of wild Tigers, Panthers, and Elephants.
Ultimately the choice to stop it isn't up to the west, and the decision has already been made.
It's time for the United States and Co. to take out their own garbage.
As far as being a "poorer" country goes, I receive better and more affordable healthcare here than I ever did in the US. I feel safer in KL than k ever did in SF or LA, and homelessness is a rarity instead of a critical issue.