PUTRAJAYA: In a bid to tackle the ever-growing issue of 39,000 tonnes of waste generated per day and mushrooming illegal dumping areas, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has launched the National Solid Waste Management Reform Initiative.
In line with this, the Ministry, through the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN), also introduced the Solid Waste Management Intellectual Course (Sosmic) as a core part of the reform.
It was officiated by the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Wira Dr M. Noor Azman Taib on Tuesday (Nov 25).
During the event, M. Noor Azman, who read minister Nga Kor Ming’s speech, announced that beginning next year, all those making new applications or renewing licences for solid waste management and public cleaning services are required to attend the Sosmic programme.
Nga said the Sosmic is an important initiative that will determine the new direction of the country's solid waste management.
“We are not only facing an increase in waste generation but there are also illegal waste dumping areas appearing like mushrooms in the outskirts of villages, open land, behind shops, river banks and areas outside the coverage of local authorities.
“The programme is the start of new thinking, new competencies and new standards in the solid waste industry which is an increasingly complex sector demanding professionalism tied to the dignity and well-being of the Malaysians.
“With the development of technology, today's waste management industry requires more than labour, it requires intellectual, analytical and professional energy, as such Sosmic is the first step in this direction,” he said.
This programme includes five core modules, namely the background of national solid waste management system, the legal framework, the technical basis, the license application procedure through the i-Lesen system and industry best practices.
Sosmic is the first intellectual course in the field of solid waste management and public cleaning in Malaysia developed by JPSPN in collaboration with the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleaning Corporation (SWCorp) and the Housing and Local Government Training Institute (I-KPKT).
This initiative focuses on improving licencee professionalism, legal understanding and strengthening industry standards in line with Act 672 and the government's aspirations.
The teaching staff consists of SWCorp expert officers with extensive experience in field operations and law enforcement.
The implementation of Sosmic is a paradigm shift to create a more professional, integrity-based and competitive solid waste management industry involving 20,000 participants.
With Malaysia needing a skilled workforce that complies with legal standards and sustainable development principles, Sosmic will be the new standard in ensuring the accountability of 5,288 solid waste management and public cleaning licence holders.
Additionally, Nga said from 2014 to 2025, a total of 24,003 operations to deal with illegal waste have been carried out.
In 2025, until October, 3,634 operations were successfully carried out, an increase compared to 3,036 in the previous year, he also said.
“This effort involved the cleaning of 1,530.41 tonnes of solid waste at a cost of more than RM406,000.
“In terms of enforcement, 22 cases have been successfully brought to court under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), which was supported by 4,268 intelligence operations, an effort requiring the perseverance of field officers, time and a large cost,” Nga said.
He pointed out the challenge of solid waste is not just a technical challenge, but also involved attitude, discipline, compliance with the law and social responsibility.
Nga added that punishment should not be the measure, instead called for a change in mindset and adopting of new culture at levels of society to improve the cleanliness in the country.
