Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk
Abdul Rahman Dahlan(photo) said, the government is planning to adopt a comprehensive
and integrated waste management policy in order curtail the current problematic solid waste in
Malaysia.
This includes the installation of incinerators for efficient disposal of
waste and to formulate strategies for waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
He gave the assurance that public engagement would be held to address
concerns over the current incinerator projects.
Like any other countries in the world, Solid waste is one of the three major environmental problems in
Malaysia. It plays a significant role in the ability of Nature to 
sustain life
within its capacity. Currently, over 23,000 tonnes of waste is produced each
day in Malaysia.
sustain life
within its capacity. Currently, over 23,000 tonnes of waste is produced each
day in Malaysia.
However, this amount is expected to rise to 30,000 tonnes by the year 2020.
The amount of waste generated continues to increase due to the increasing
population and development, and only less than 5% of the waste is being recycled.
Despite the massive amount and complexity of waste produced, the standards of waste management in Malaysia are still poor.
Despite the massive amount and complexity of waste produced, the standards of waste management in Malaysia are still poor.
- These include outdated and poor
documentation of waste generation rates and its composition, inefficient
storage and collection systems, disposal of municipal wastes with toxic and
hazardous waste, indiscriminate disposal or dumping of wastes and inefficient
utilization of disposal site space.
Rivers represent the lease of life which pulses through the earth.It is a finite and only source of water. In Malaysia, there are almost 1800 rivers. Sadly, more than half of these rivers have been polluted and destroyed. Improper solid waste management contributes greatly to river pollution.
Improper solid waste management (SWM) also contributes to climate change – decomposing waste produces methane and production of new products to meet demand emits greenhouse gases and utilizes natural resources. - Litter at the roadside, drains clogged up with rubbish and rivers filled with filthy garbage definitely indicate that solid waste is a major environmental problem in Malaysia. Rapid development, population increase and changes in consumption pattern directly (and indirectly) resulted in the generation of enormous amount of waste, ranging from biodegradable to synthetic waste.
In response to the issue, Abdul Rahman Dahlan said this was due to
population increase, current lifestyle and dietary changes among urbanites.
“At this rate, existing landfills will be exhausted much earlier than planned.
For example, a cell in a sanitary landfill has a lifespan of five years. With
the increase, the cell will be full before the lifespan ends,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said the ministry’s plan to 
build three large-scale
incinerators with a capacity of between 600 and 1,200 tonnes a day.
build three large-scale
incinerators with a capacity of between 600 and 1,200 tonnes a day.
The plant at Taman Beringin, Jinjang, would have a capacity of 1,000 tonnes
a day and be completed via a private funding initiative.
Another plant at Sungai Udang, Malacca, would be able to process between
1,000 and 1,200 tonnes a day while the one at Bukit Payong, Batu Pahat, would
have a capacity of 600 to 800 tonnes a day.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby recently, Abdul Rahman said a
detailed environment impact assessment report would be a prerequisite for the
construction of the Taman Beringin incinerator.
Source: NST, Agency
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