SARAWAK MOVES TO ENHANCE WASTE MANAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

KUCHING, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- The passing of the Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill 2025 at the Sarawak state legislative assembly today is a significant step towards strengthening the state’s environmental governance and modernising waste-recovery practices.

Earlier, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in tabling the Bill said it advances the state’s environmental sustainability, circular economy and energy transition agenda, in line with the Premier’s vision of turning waste into economic value.

“Sarawak is truly blessed with abundant natural resources and a favourable climate, placing the state in a strong position to build a robust bioenergy industry. Our diverse biomass feedstocks, including palm oil residues, woody biomass, sago waste and municipal solid waste, offer significant opportunities for bioenergy development.

“What was once viewed simply as waste is now recognised as a valuable resource for energy generation and value-added industries. Under the Sarawak Energy Transition Policy (SET-P), bioenergy is expected to contribute around 10 million standard cubic feet, measured as natural gas equivalent by 2035,” he told the assembly.

The Bill was debated by 24 assemblymen and received majority support.

Uggah, who is also Sarawak’s Second Minister of Finance and New Economy and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, said the oil palm sector demonstrates the scale of the state’s biomass potential.

He said currently there are 84 palm oil mills operating in Sarawak, processing about 22 million tonnes of fresh fruit bunches annually that generates approximately four million tonnes of empty fruit bunches (EFB) and 14 million tonnes of palm oil mill effluent (POME) each year, he said.

“These byproducts are low-hanging fruits, readily available feedstocks that can be converted into a range of bio-based products such as biogas, biofuels, biomass pellets and biochemicals, including bioplastics,” he said.

He added that Sarawak is also studying the feasibility of converting existing coal-fired power plants to operate on biomass, as well as exploring municipal solid waste-to-energy projects under the SET-P, the Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint and the Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

Uggah noted that the introduction of this regulatory framework is fully aligned with Sarawak’s constitutional authority to legislate on matters relating to land, water, forestry and local government under the State List of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

He said the Bill also provides for the establishment of a dedicated authority to regulate, coordinate and promote sustainable resources and waste management across the state.

“The minister responsible for implementing and administering the Bill will be the minister in charge of energy and environmental sustainability,” he said, adding that despite Sarawak’s vast biomass potential, utilisation remains limited due to unattractive feed-in tariffs, high capital investment costs, logistical challenges and insufficient supporting infrastructure.

To address these constraints, he said the Bill establishes the Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Authority, which will oversee the segregation, collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of sustainable resources and wastes.

“The Authority will also be empowered to issue guidelines, approve plans or projects, promote investment and innovation, conduct enforcement activities and provide incentives to individuals or industries that contribute to sustainable waste management efforts.

“The Bill additionally outlines offences and penalties, including fines of RM20,000 to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, for non-compliance with directives or orders issued under the law.

“The enactment of the Bill will enable Sarawak to regulate sustainable resources and waste more effectively and enhance the state’s long-term environmental governance,” he said. 

-- BERNAMA