By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 25: Sarawak is positioning waste as its next economic resource, with the Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill 2025 paving the way for a fully regulated industry that will convert discarded materials into renewable energy, fertiliser, biochar and other high-value products.
Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming said the Bill signals the State’s intent to build a disciplined and future-ready society where waste is recognised as a strategic asset with real economic value.
“The legislation marks a decisive shift from viewing waste as a liability to recognising it as ‘gold’, capable of powering a new green economy, creating jobs and strengthening environmental governance across the State.
“The proposed law would redefine how Sarawak manages discarded materials, replacing the long-standing dump-and-dispose mentality with a system where waste is harvested, processed and monetised under a clear legal framework, ensuring the transition from waste to wealth becomes a regulated reality rather than a slogan,” he said during his debate on the Bill at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today, which was tabled by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Pang warned that existing practices could no longer cope with rising waste volumes and urban growth, stressing that failure to act would leave Sarawak facing escalating environmental and public health risks.
He said the Bill signals the State’s readiness to lead in sustainable resource management rather than remain passive in the face of a global waste crisis.
He also welcomed Bintulu’s selection as a potential pilot area, describing the town as strategically placed to demonstrate how waste could be converted into economic value.
According to him, the Bintulu Development Authority’s (BDA) ambition to move towards Zero Carbon City status aligns with the Bill’s direction, positioning the area as a practical model for other districts to follow.
While expressing full support, Pang acknowledged implementation challenges, including low public awareness of waste segregation, compliance costs for businesses and overlapping enforcement responsibilities, and said these issues must be addressed through strong coordination, public education and phased enforcement to ensure the policy delivers both economic and environmental returns. — DayakDaily
