By Afix Redzuan
SHAH ALAM, Nov 6 — The Selangor state government is formulating a law that requires the segregation of waste at all premises, including residential and business centres.
Selangor Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the Selangor Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Bill is in the works, which will include waste segregation as one of the elements in the said enactment.
“We have informed the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to discuss the matter.
“The implementation of the law will require the public to sort their waste according to its type, separating the recyclables, residual waste, and bulky waste before the trash is collected,” he told the state legislative assembly in response to a question by Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat.
“Before the drafting of the Bill, the local councils have begun conducting awareness programmes on waste separation.”
Hee said the public awareness on waste management is still low even though various programmes have been conducted at different levels.
“Based on random checks and observations, among the reasons why the people are not inclined towards sorting their waste is due to the unattractive offer given in return.
“Residents are also reluctant to fork out the extra cost in buying different plastic bags to separate the waste,” he said.
In October, KPKT minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the Federal government will implement a more organised and effective solid waste management system nationwide.
Under the previous Barisan Nasional government, the enforcement of the waste segregation programme under Act 672 of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 was implemented in six states and two federal territories in June 2016.
The Act makes it compulsory for residents to separate their solid wastes according to categories of paper, plastics and others or face fines between RM50 and RM500.
The programme had taken effect on those living in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Perlis and Pahang.
Selangor and Penang, which were then under the administration of the Opposition party, were not part of the programme.
