(Kuching, 30th) Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the Sarawak government will table a new bill at the State Legislative Assembly (DUS) meeting in December this year, to regulate the collection and management of various forms of waste.
He stated yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Environment Day (Sarawak Zone) celebration at a resort in Sematan that currently, Sarawak does not have laws authorizing or regulating waste collection work.
"Waste can actually bring wealth. Waste is also a part of our development," said Abang Johari.
He said the new bill aims to establish a clear legal framework for the management of all types of waste and is one of the key measures to promote a circular economy.
Abang Johari explained that to create economic value from waste, there must be sufficient scale in processing.
"If the amount of waste is too little, we also can't carry out related work. There must be a certain quantity to add value to the waste," he said.
He stated that the proposed bill is an important part of achieving effective environmental management. The Sarawak government is also negotiating with the federal government to prepare for taking over full authority over environmental governance, which is in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He noted that this transfer of powers will be implemented under Article 95C of the Federal Constitution, and the related amendments are also expected to be tabled in December. By then, Sarawak will have the power to formulate its own environmental laws.
"This work is very important because we must comprehensively manage economic activities related to the environment."
Abang Johari gave examples, such as how discarded components in semiconductor devices like iPads contain precious metals like nickel and gold; and lithium batteries are hazardous waste and must be recycled and reused—such processes must develop in tandem with technological advancement.
He added that this is the reason why the Sarawak government established a research-focused campus at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.
"Therefore, I have requested Swinburne University to set up a research center dedicated to studying the waste we generate, as well as how to convert this waste into other useful products, including chemical waste," he said.
Abang Johari also emphasized that Sarawak's future environmental management laws must be comprehensive, covering areas such as water treatment and solar panel reutilization, to ensure the maximization of recyclable value and realize resource regeneration.
"These are new areas we must manage well, and we must also plan how to process these wastes through recycling methods."
He pointed out that the waste management sector will also bring about new employment opportunities and economic benefits.
"This requires professional technical talent, and there are business opportunities within."
Guests attending the event included:
Sarawak Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Deputy Minister of the Second Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh, and Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak Environmental Quality Control Officer Datu Jack Liam.
He stated yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 2025 National Environment Day (Sarawak Zone) celebration at a resort in Sematan that currently, Sarawak does not have laws authorizing or regulating waste collection work.
"Waste can actually bring wealth. Waste is also a part of our development," said Abang Johari.
He said the new bill aims to establish a clear legal framework for the management of all types of waste and is one of the key measures to promote a circular economy.
Abang Johari explained that to create economic value from waste, there must be sufficient scale in processing.
"If the amount of waste is too little, we also can't carry out related work. There must be a certain quantity to add value to the waste," he said.
He stated that the proposed bill is an important part of achieving effective environmental management. The Sarawak government is also negotiating with the federal government to prepare for taking over full authority over environmental governance, which is in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He noted that this transfer of powers will be implemented under Article 95C of the Federal Constitution, and the related amendments are also expected to be tabled in December. By then, Sarawak will have the power to formulate its own environmental laws.
"This work is very important because we must comprehensively manage economic activities related to the environment."
Abang Johari gave examples, such as how discarded components in semiconductor devices like iPads contain precious metals like nickel and gold; and lithium batteries are hazardous waste and must be recycled and reused—such processes must develop in tandem with technological advancement.
He added that this is the reason why the Sarawak government established a research-focused campus at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.
"Therefore, I have requested Swinburne University to set up a research center dedicated to studying the waste we generate, as well as how to convert this waste into other useful products, including chemical waste," he said.
Abang Johari also emphasized that Sarawak's future environmental management laws must be comprehensive, covering areas such as water treatment and solar panel reutilization, to ensure the maximization of recyclable value and realize resource regeneration.
"These are new areas we must manage well, and we must also plan how to process these wastes through recycling methods."
He pointed out that the waste management sector will also bring about new employment opportunities and economic benefits.
"This requires professional technical talent, and there are business opportunities within."
Guests attending the event included:
Sarawak Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Deputy Minister of the Second Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh, and Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak Environmental Quality Control Officer Datu Jack Liam.