SARAWAK is set to advance its waste management and renewable energy initiatives with a new bill that emphasises systematic waste disposal and energy recovery, supporting the state’s vision to become the ‘Battery of ASEAN’ by 2030.
Tanjong Datu state assemblyman, Azizul Annuar Adenan, said the Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill, that is fully supported by lawmakers, empowers authorities to implement waste-to-energy and biomass energy solutions, reducing landfill dependency while generating electricity.
“With urban populations producing growing amounts of municipal solid waste, including food, paper, plastics, textiles and metal efficient disposal is a pressing environmental challenge,” he said.
Azizul said this in support of the Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill during the DUN sitting today.
“The rapid growth of waste requires innovative solutions; landfills alone cannot cope, and harnessing energy from waste is crucial for our sustainable development goals,” he added.
He added that the incineration at waste-to-energy plants can reduce waste volume by up to 95 per cent, converting organic materials into electricity and heat.
“Biomass energy, derived from organic matter such as agricultural residues and forestry waste, offers a renewable, dispatchable power source that is not affected by weather variations, unlike solar and wind,” he explained.
“These initiatives support Malaysia’s carbon reduction objectives, create local jobs, and attract both domestic and foreign investments in sustainable energy technologies.”
Despite higher initial costs and land requirements for biomass facilities, proponents argue that careful planning, sustainable land practices, and technological advances can mitigate environmental impacts.
Community engagement and workforce training are also emphasised to ensure social and environmental sustainability.
“By leveraging waste-to-energy and biomass solutions, Sarawak aims to minimise landfill impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen its leadership in clean energy development across Southeast Asia,” Azizul said.
