WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLVABLE WITH CONTINUED EFFORTS FROM INDUSTRY - CHOW

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Nov 12 (Bernama) --  Waste management,  which has been a significant problem in Malaysia for decades, can be solved with continued efforts by the industry, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Chow said in 2005, Malaysia produced only 19,000 tonnes of waste per day, however, in 2018 it increased to 38,000 tonnes and these figures were recorded after recycling initiatives had risen from 5 per cent in 2005 to 17.5 per cent in 2018.

"The factory Shan Poornam Sdn Bhd not only manages e-waste but also manages almost all industrial waste codes and this factory demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, it is a pleasure to have such a factory operating in Penang.

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“Yet in 2023, Malaysia is generating about 39,000 tonnes of waste per day despite a recycling rate of 35.38 per cent, thus, in order to achieve a National Recycling Rate (NRR) of 40 percent by 2025, Penang can contribute further and lead the charge," he said in speech after visiting Shan Poornam Metals factory at Perai, here today.

Chow toured major operational sites there to better understand their comprehensive role in industrial solid waste management and Shan Poornam is a partner of the state government's policy on integrated waste management.

Also present was Shan Poornam and Thirupathi Capital Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Seri S. Selvakumar Chetty and State Executive Councilor for Housing and Environment Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.

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Chow said Penang must implement and lead several initiatives, especially in collaboration with organisations such as Shan Poornam, which aims to create a greener and safer environment for all.

He said parallel to the Penang2030 vision, the state government has focused on waste management and recycling.

“We believe that houses, shops and streets should be clean and sanitary to raise the livelihood of the people of Penang, to achieve this, we have increased our recycling rate to 70 per cent by 2030. 

"We have also implemented a 'Waste Segregation at Source' policy to reduce production to landfills and at the same time, we have increased our engagement with the private waste management and recycling industry to achieve our targets.  Therefore, Shan Poornam's contribution to this field will be a significant milestone,” he added.  

Selvakumar said the quarters, strategically located next to Batu Kawan, will provide a comfortable and respectful shelter for the workers, equipped with important facilities.

No further details about the quarters were revealed during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, responding to a reporter's question whether current or future investments in Penang will be affected by the return of US President Donald Trump, Chow said that even if Trump wins, the industry will remain optimistic and remain focused.

"Malaysia can still benefit, but hopefully, with these election results, it won’t jeopardise what we have and we will continue to grow despite new policies. We will remain cautiously optimistic about opportunities to form strategic partnerships with the USA,” Chow added.

-- BERNAMA