PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and Japan have renewed their cooperation on transitioning the country to a more sustainable and resource-efficient waste management system.
A memorandum of cooperation (MoC) was signed following a courtesy call and bilateral meeting between Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Japan’s State Minister of the Environment Azemoto Shogo at Parliament on Wednesday (Oct 7).
Nga said the renewed partnership was built on more than a decade of cooperation between the two countries in improving Malaysia’s solid waste management system.
He said Malaysia was targeting a national recycling rate of 53% by 2035.
“Malaysia greatly appreciates Japan’s long-standing support since 2010.
“Among the outcomes of this cooperation were the Strategic Plan for Food Waste Management in Malaysia 2010-2016 and the Technical Guidelines for the Selection of Solid Waste Management Technologies in 2023,” he said.
Nga said it was timely to renew the cooperation as both countries looked to advance their shared goals in sustainable waste management.
Malaysia’s long-term strategy includes setting up the National Circular Economy Council, introducing a Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste, developing an Extended Producer Responsibility policy and using waste-to-energy technology, he said.
“Both countries share a common objective of developing an efficient waste management ecosystem that promotes public well-being, strengthens resource circulation and supports the transition towards a low-carbon economy,” he added.
Nga said Malaysia was working towards achieving a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.
He said the country hoped the cooperation would lead to practical initiatives, particularly in capacity-building and technology transfer, to enhance the technical and operational expertise of officials and personnel.
The signing was witnessed by Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki and Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr M Noor Azman Taib.
