PUTRAJAYA: More than just aesthetics and improving quality of life, the landscape industry is set to contribute to the economic development, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic).
He said that the industry is expected to contribute 3% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equal to about RM60bil, by 2030.
He added that in 2024, the industry contributed RM39.4bil or 2% to GDP, an increase compared with RM35.68bil in 2023.
“Under the new National Landscape Policy, we aim for the landscape industry to contribute up to 3% or about RM60bil in 2030,” he told reporters after the National Landscape Day 2025 soft-launch event here yesterday.
Nga added that based on data from the Statistics Department (DOSM), there are 24 types of landscape-related industries identified under the Malaysian Standard Industrial Classification codes.
“At the same time, the Agriculture Census 2024 by DOSM showed that the number of agricultural holdings for flower planting and landscape plants recorded a total of 113 agricultural holdings covering about 45,300ha nationwide,” he said.
Nga also said that his ministry is committed to transforming the landscape industry as a strategic economic sector that can generate income and job opportunities.
Themed “Landscape Industry as the Catalyst of Madani’s Development”, Nga announced that this year’s event will take place in Pasir Gudang, Johor.
The six-day event will be launched by Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor on June 26.
“Last year, the National Landscape Day recorded a total transaction of over RM10mil.
“This year, we aim to break that record,” he said, adding that the celebration is also in line with Malaysia’s chairmanship of the UN-Habitat Assembly.
In a separate event, Nga witnessed the signing of Malaysia’s second Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant, this time in Sungai Udang, Melaka.
The plant will be able to process 1,000 tonnes daily and generate 22MW of electricity.
He added that the new plant will be able to reduce over 259,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year – similar to planting four million trees.
“The plant will also be equipped with a leachate treatment plant, with a capacity of 96 cubic metres, and will be built on the 3.9ha land at the existing Sungai Udang’s landfill,” he said.
Nga was speaking at the signing of a concession agreement through the public-private partnership with Malakoff Corporation Bhd and Alam Flora Environmental Solutions Sdn Bhd.
The project involves a RM660mil investment cost into a 34-year concession – including three-year construction from 2026 – through the Build, Operate and Own concept.
He added that the plant will start its construction in 2026 after fulfilling various conditions, including Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Plan, Waste Structure Plan and other technical documents.
The first WtE plant is located at Ladang Tanah Merah, Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan, and was completed in 2023.
Nga said the need for transformation of waste management has become more crucial because the data shows that Malaysia is running out of landfills, as the country is projected to produce 17.03 million tonnes of waste by 2035.
Previously, it was reported that the government has identified 18 possible sites for proposed WtE plants that will serve the needs of every state in Peninsular Malaysia.
Last July, Nga told the Dewan Rakyat that the sites are: Jabi and Padang Cina in Kedah; Bukit Payung, Seelong and Sedili (Johor); Jabor-Jerangau and Belenggu (Pahang); Sungai Udang (Melaka); Rawang (Kuala Lumpur); Jeram, Tanjung Dua Belas and Rawang Dua (Selangor); Pulau Burung (Penang); Lahat, Taiping and Manjung (Perak); Tertak Batu (Terengganu); and Jedok (Kelantan).
