Local scrap metal collectors in Petaling Jaya are urging authorities to take action against illegal collectors in order to prevent the situation from becoming uncontrollable. One collector, known as Segaran, stated that his income has decreased by 50% since foreigners, particularly Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, entered the trade a few years ago. He claimed that these foreigners, who ride motorcycles without licenses, road tax, or insurance, have been allowed to operate without intervention from the authorities. According to Segaran, locals have modified old motorcycles and added sidecars to rent to the foreigners.
Furthermore, Segaran alleged that certain Malaysian scrap metal dealers supply the machines to these foreigners on the condition that all collections are sold exclusively to them. He estimated that around 200 foreigners are involved in the scrap metal collection business within the Klang Valley area. This occupation has traditionally been the main source of income for many locals, but now it has been taken over by foreign collectors.
Another collector, named Rajan, attributed the increase in foreign collectors to the lack of enforcement. Although occasional operations take place, the foreigners continue their activities as usual afterwards. Rajan conceded that the foreigners work hard, but their actions deprive locals of their livelihoods. As a result, many locals are forced to take on odd jobs to survive. Rajan also provided information on the value of different types of scrap metal, stating that copper has the highest value (RM28-RM30 per kilo), followed by aluminum waste (RM7-RM8 per kilo), scrap metal (RM1-RM1.50 per kilo), and paper and cardboard (RM0.60 per kilo).
Datuk P. Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research highlighted the need for refugees, who are not allowed to work, to generate income for their survival. However, he emphasized that this should not come at the expense of low-income Malaysians who rely on these jobs to support their families. Sundramoorthy suggested that the Malaysian government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees collaborate to find solutions to assist the refugees, such as sending them to plantations where there is a shortage of workers in the agricultural industry.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
