MOST of us don’t think twice about what happens to our rubbish after we throw it away. Once it’s in the bin, it becomes someone else’s problem – the council’s, the contractor’s, or “the government’s”.
But the truth is this: the waste we produce every single day doesn’t just disappear. It piles up somewhere. It pollutes something. It costs someone.
For years, waste management has been treated as just another routine government service. As long as garbage trucks come and the bins are cleared, we assume everything is fine.
But deep down, we know it isn’t. Landfills are filling up. Our rivers are stressed. Plastics are everywhere. And if we continue like this, our children will inherit a problem far bigger than ours.
This is why the Sustainable Resources and Waste Management Bill 2025, tabled by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, is such an important step.
It may not be the flashiest Bill debated in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, currently still in session until December 4, but it is certainly one of the most meaningful; because it affects every home, every town, and every future generation.
A new authority with a clear job
As explained by Uggah, one of the key things the Bill does is create a dedicated authority to regulate and coordinate everything related to waste and sustainable resources. And honestly, this is long overdue.
Right now, waste management is scattered. Local councils do their part, private companies do theirs, NGOs do theirs. But there has never been one central body to streamline the work, set proper standards, and make sure everyone pulls in the same direction.
This new authority will:
• Oversee segregation, collection, recycling, and disposal;
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies;
• Approve plans and projects;
• Educate the public; and
• Enforce the law when necessary.
In simple terms, there’s finally one place to point to when things go wrong, and one body responsible for pushing things forward.
Seeing waste differently
What I appreciate most about this Bill is that it forces us to see waste differently. Instead of treating rubbish as something useless, Sarawak is beginning to see it as something valuable.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari has long championed the idea of “Don’t waste the wastes – monetise the wastes”.
This is not just a catchy line. It is a practical, forward-looking strategy. Around the world, countries have turned waste into energy, fertiliser, recycled materials, and even new jobs.
Plastics can become fuel. Food waste can become compost or animal feed. Construction debris can be repurposed. With innovation and investment, waste can become wealth.
This Bill supports that direction. It encourages research. It supports innovation. It provides incentives for industries to invest in sustainable solutions. Instead of paying to manage waste, Sarawak can start earning from it.
Enforcement that actually matters
Of course, none of this works without enforcement. Talk is cheap if rules are not followed.
The Bill gives the new authority the power to enforce the law – including the power to conduct checks, seize materials, issue compounds, and take action against offenders.
And yes, the penalties are stiff: fines of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, and even possible jail time of up to five years.
Some may say this is harsh, but if we are serious about protecting our environment, we cannot allow irresponsible behaviour to continue unchecked.
Illegal dumping, open burning, and improper waste treatment harm all of us. It poisons rivers, contaminates soil, and affects public health.
Strong enforcement is not about punishing people – it is about preventing long-term damage.
A smarter, cleaner future
Sarawak has big plans for renewable energy, hydrogen technology, and the circular economy. But without proper waste management, those plans are incomplete.
A green future is not just about producing clean energy – it is also about managing the by-products of modern living responsibly.
This Bill finally connects the missing link. It lays the groundwork for an integrated, modern, and sustainable waste system.
It prepares Sarawak for the next stage of development, where environmental responsibility goes hand-in-hand with economic progress.
Uggah stressed; “To unlock the full potential of Sarawak’s bioenergy sector, there is a need for a comprehensive and enabling regulatory framework, supported by targeted policies and incentives”.
But let’s be honest – It starts with us
No law, no authority, and no enforcement can succeed without public support. We all have a role to play.
• Separate your waste at home.
• Reduce single-use plastics.
• Reuse items whenever possible.
• Support recycling programmes.
• Teach your children about responsible habits.
Small actions, when done consistently, make a big difference.
It’s easy to point fingers at the government or the councils, but real change begins in our kitchens, our offices, and our daily choices.
A meaningful step forward
When the history of Sarawak’s environmental journey is written, this Bill may be remembered as a turning point – the moment we stopped seeing waste as a burden and started seeing it as an opportunity.
We often celebrate the big announcements – the hydropower deals, the hydrogen plants, the investments from overseas.
But sometimes, real progress comes quietly, through a Bill that many might overlook, yet affects the way we live every single day.
As Sarawakians, we now have a chance to be part of this transformation. To build a state where waste is managed wisely, resources are used efficiently, and our environment is protected for the next generation.
This Bill gives us the structure, the authority, and the direction.
The rest is up to us.
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Disclaimer
Aden Nagrace is the Editor-in-Chief of Sarawak Tribune. The views expressed here are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the newspaper’s editorial stance. He can be reached at drnagrace@gmail.com
