KUCHING: Sarawak will set up a regulatory authority to coordinate and promote sustainable resource and waste management in the state.
This comes after the state legislative assembly passed the Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill on Tuesday (Nov 25).
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said a regulatory framework, supported by targeted policies and incentives, was necessary for Sarawak to harness energy from biomass resources such as palm oil residue, wood biomass, sago waste and municipal solid waste.
"These materials, once regarded merely as waste, are now recognised as valuable resources for energy generation and value-added industries," he said when tabling the Bill.
For example, he said, the empty fruit bunches and effluents from palm oil mills in Sarawak could be converted into bio-based products such as biogas, biofuels, biomass pellets and biochemicals.
He added that Sarawak was exploring the conversion of existing coal-fired power plants to operate on biomass, besides assessing the feasibility of converting municipal solid waste into energy.
"Achieving this will require a dedicated authority to regulate and oversee the management of these wastes and resources, which includes segregation, collection, treatment, recycling and disposal," he said.
Uggah said the Bill sought to establish the Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Authority, which will oversee planning and coordination of activities in this sector and develop management systems for industries.
It will also promote investment, research, innovation and capacity building for sustainable initiatives in Sarawak, besides giving incentives to individuals or industries contributing to sustainable resource and waste management.
"The enactment of this Bill will confer upon Sarawak the authority to regulate sustainable resources and wastes effectively and efficiently.
"This legislative measure reaffirms the state’s commitment to advancing its sustainability agenda, harnessing economic opportunities arising from the utilisation of sustainable resources and waste, and strengthening the framework for long-term environmental governance in Sarawak," Uggah said.
