Sabah to handle its own solid waste management under new law, says Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: A comprehensive solid waste management regulation has been put in place in Sabah.

The Sabah Legislative Assembly has approved the Solid Waste Management Enactment 2022 that will regulate solid waste and public cleansing in the state on its own.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said that the state decided to adopt its own law to manage solid waste and rejected the extension of the federal law.

He said the state Cabinet had unanimously rejected the extension of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) as well as the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation Act 2007 (Act 673) on Mar 23, 2016.

It was in line with the state's decision to maintain solid waste disposal and public cleansing under the state government, he added.

Masidi said the state would establish a Sabah State Solid Waste Management Council that will compromise government officials and five other members from the non-governmental organisations.

"Once it is established it will give a more detailed focus on the problems of solid waste management and disposal and public cleansing in a more systematic, holistic and effective manner for all local authorities.

“The Federal Government can channel financial allocation directly to council," he said, adding that matters pertaining to hygiene were on the Common List under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

He said the council would provide the policy and strategies for the solid waste management for local councils who would be tasked to carry out enforcement among others.

The solid waste management bill was among three bills passed by the state assembly during its five day sitting that ended Thursday (March 23).

Two others Bills related strengthening the enforcement powers of the local authorities under the Local Government Ordinance 1961) and a Water Supply Enactment amendment was also to give more enforcement and management powers to Sabah Water Department to set fee and charges under the enactment, raise outdated penalties for offences and also enter into agreements with contractors over water supply services.