KUCHING: The Sarawak Government will introduce a solid waste management system as a long-term measure to protect the environment while reducing reliance on landfill sites across the state.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, said the move is among several key initiatives currently being formulated in response to the challenges posed by climate change as well as the extreme weather conditions expected in the coming months.
“The final study is currently being carried out and will be presented at the State Cabinet Meeting for approval, and hopefully we will be able to reduce the number of landfill sites.
“One of the measures we have now is to end reliance on landfill sites in order to adapt and safeguard the environment,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters during his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at his official residence in Demak Laut on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Datuk Len Talif also advised the people of Sarawak not to carry out open burning, as dry weather is expected in the months ahead.
According to him, extremely severe weather conditions, whether excessive rainfall leading to floods or prolonged dry spells that heighten the risk of open fires, require serious attention from all parties.
“That is why we will issue an official statement where each of us has our respective roles to ensure our environment is always properly preserved,” he explained.
Also present at the open house were Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, and Deputy Minister for Plantation and Commodities Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii. - UKASnews
Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Jonnie Kiew & Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Translator: Uilson Ng
