By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 25: Stronger penalties for illegal dumping and mandatory GPS tracking for waste transporters are essential to ensure that Sarawak’s new Sustainable Resources and Waste Management Bill 2025 become truly effective.
Debating the Bill at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Sitting today, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap stressed that “a good law is only effective when supported by enforcement”, adding that the proposed legal framework must be backed by uncompromising, technology-driven oversight to curb longstanding issues such as illegal dumping, poor segregation and unlicensed transporters.
Other key measures proposed include, compulsory reporting and traceability of waste movement, independent environmental audits, a dedicated enforcement unit and the integration of technologies such as GPS tracking, digital waste manifests and real-time emissions monitoring.
“Enforcement cannot be symbolic — it must be effective, visible, and uncompromising,” he stressed.
Yap said that when voluntary participation, aggregated supply, strong enforcement and Sarawak’s real energy potential are combined, the outcome will create new revenue streams, reduce municipal expenditure, strengthen the circular economy, generate green jobs and boost investor confidence.
“Waste becomes wealth, and sustainability becomes economic opportunity,” he said in expressing full support for the Bill.
Yap highlighted that one of the strengths of the Bill is its ability to encourage voluntary participation across industries, communities and local councils.
“Many plantations, factories, timber operators and livestock farms already produce biomass and organic waste that can be converted into electricity, biofuels, fertiliser, biogas and recyclable materials.
“Voluntary participation reduces enforcement burden, builds goodwill and encourages green behaviour without immediately resorting to punishment,” he said.
Yap said the Bill marks a transformational shift in how Sarawak manages waste, moving the State away from a traditional disposal mindset toward a circular, revenue-generating and enforcement-ready resource ecosystem.
“Sarawak is blessed with abundant sustainable resource streams. If harnessed systematically, the potential energy we can generate from sustainable resources and waste totals 1,330 MW,” he said, noting that the figure, equivalent to another large-scale power plant, is based on real feedstock availability.
He said the State’s untapped clean energy potential comprises 550MW from agricultural biomass, 600MW from wood biomass, 40MW from municipal solid waste and 140MW from animal waste.
“This Bill, by providing the regulatory backbone, allows us to unlock these opportunities in an orderly and profitable manner,” he remarked.
To maximise industry adoption, he suggested incorporating incentives for early adopters, recognition schemes, transparent pricing mechanisms and clear guidelines for voluntary aggregation of supply.
Yap also noted that the Bill also addresses the long-standing challenge of fragmentation in the waste-to-resource industry, allowing small operators to pool materials, enabling consistent feedstock supply, lowering transport costs and supporting the development of large-scale private sector facilities.
He said the regulatory provisions will also lead to measurable environmental improvements, including cleaner air, cleaner rivers, reduced landfill reliance, higher recycling rates and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“Sarawak’s natural environment is priceless. Responsible waste management under this Bill ensures future generations inherit a cleaner, healthier Bumi Kenyalang,” he said.
Yap concluded by urging that the Sustainable Resources and Waste Management Bill 2025 be implemented with seriousness, coordination and ambition, calling it an investment in Sarawak’s future. — DayakDaily
