KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has called for waste materials to be turned into resources.
“We are exploring all avenues to turn waste into resource that has economic value,” said Abang Johari when officiating at a gala dinner to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sarawak Wastes Management Sdn Bhd (SWM) and Trienekens Sarawak Sdn Bhd held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here last night.
The Chief Minister pointed out that waste management is a problem faced by all nations as it is the side effect of development.
Calling for a revamp of the existing waste management system, Abang Johari said the latest technological developments, such as the GPS fleet management system which can identify the waste produced and form separate categories of waste.
He said such big data can help with recycling waste for economic benefits.
“If we adopt this new approach through digital devices, we will be the first in Malaysia to implement it.
“I’m sure that we can mitigate the impact of development and turn waste into resources,” he said.
Abang Johari is confident that in the next 20 years, Sarawak, through its waste management companies, will be able to do it.
He went on to laud SWM and Trienekens’ role in managing the waste produced by the state.
“I still remember about 30 years ago when we had problem handling our waste. Back then the solution was to send our waste products to Peninsula Malaysia,” Abang Johari said to the diners.
“It was a very inefficient and costly method to remove our waste. That’s also when our partners, Trienekens came up to us with a solution to our waste problem.
The chief minister said proper management of waste products is crucial to the state’s development.
“I remember back then telling then Chief Minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud that for investors to continue to invest in the state, we have to come up with proper management.
“Ever since we completed the development of Samajaya Technology Park, the waste soared as the electronic companies from United States and Japan set foot in Sarawak.”
Abang Johari’s views were echoed by Trienekens Sarawak Sdn Bhd group chief executive officer Stephen Chin who shared that the waste management parks in Sarawak are very clean.
Also present were his wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Acting State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion.
