Govt mulling single waste management agency, says Nga

• Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming: This effort is in line with the commitment to achieve zero waste, while promoting green economic growth, advancing social well-being and ensuring environmental sustainability, as outlined in the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 21): The Housing and Local Government Ministry is exploring the formation of a single agency to manage solid waste, e-waste, sewage and radioactive waste through optimised use of resources, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Thursday.

Minister Nga Kor Ming (pictured) said the initiative is among the key strategies outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), as part of a comprehensive effort to safeguard planetary health and achieve zero waste.

“This single agency will encompass the five key principles of waste management, namely collection, transportation, recovery, treatment and disposal.

“This effort is in line with the commitment to achieve zero waste, while promoting green economic growth, advancing social well-being and ensuring environmental sustainability, as outlined in the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste in Malaysia,” he said during a question-and-answer session.

He said this in response to a question from Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (Gabungan Parti Sarawak-Betong) on the ministry’s strategic measures to strengthen solid waste management governance, including aspects of the circular economy, green job creation and the adoption of innovative technologies.

Responding to a supplementary question from Richard Rapu on the ministry’s strategy to assist local authorities (PBTs) in tackling rising solid waste management costs, Nga said the government had allocated substantial funds for public cleaning under the 13MP.

“Almost every year, RM2 billion is allocated to states that have adopted Act 672. Selangor and Penang have now agreed in principle to adopt the same Act, and assistance will be extended to their respective PBTs to ensure efficient solid waste management,” he said.

Nga said under the 13MP, the government had set a target for 20% of waste collection vehicles to be electric-powered by 2027, in line with the country’s decarbonisation policy.

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