THE Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill 2025 could empower rural and remote communities with several additional measures.
Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang said that the Bill presents an opportunity to ensure rural Sarawak benefits from sustainable waste management initiatives.
“I propose the establishment of a Rural Waste Management Scheme under the Authority’s regulation-making powers, due to our dispersed longhouses and rural settlements which makes traditional waste collection often impractical.
“The scheme should include mobile waste collection schedules for riverine communities, mini recycling and segregation hubs at longhouses, community-based composting for organic waste, small-scale agricultural waste processing units for oil palm fronds, rubber wood, crop residues and many more,” he said.
He said this when debating in support of the Bill during the DUN sitting here today.
He also highlighted the need for a “Micro-Licence Tier” for Youth and Longhouse Cooperatives.
“It is a proposal to simplify licensing categories to enable the youth or young entrepreneur, longhouse cooperatives, JKKKs as well as community based organisations to legally collect, transport, and aggregate recyclable waste,” he added.
He also proposed a Riverine Waste Protection Unit, noting that rivers are “highways” and lifelines for many rural constituencies.
“River waste traps should be installed at strategic points, dedicated riverine enforcement units under the Authority should be formed and regulations should explicitly include river-based waste offences.
“This aligns with our commitment to preserve the Batang Rajang, Baleh, Baram, Limbang and other rivers as clean, sustainable waterways,” he said.
Additionally, he suggested incentive schemes for green technology in rural areas pursuant under Clause 22 of the Bill’s incentive provisions.
“These could include rebates for communities adopting recycling practices, grants for composting equipment, subsidies for rural SMEs exploring waste-derived products, and support for schools to run environmental programmes,” he said.
