4,000kg plastic waste collected from river since December
The RM1.5 million facility, a collaboration between Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) master developer Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) and environmental
non-profit The Ocean Cleanup, was fully funded by Coca-Cola Malaysia.
LLSB managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin said the facility has the capacity to sort up to 10,000kg of waste per day.
He said the initiative is expected to reduce reliance on landfills and improve the management of marine waste in a more sustainable way.
'Our target is 20% of the waste we collect from the Klang River will not end up in landfills.
'At the very least, we can extract and recover plastic and manage it responsibly,' Syaiful Azmen said after the official launch of the facility at Taman Pengkalan Batu yesterday.
Also present were Klang Royal City Council Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo.
Syaiful Azmen said there is a need to establish similar facilities along the 100km-long Klang River, including in Shah Alam.
'Previously, waste collected from the river went straight to a landfill. Now, with support from Ocean Cleanup, Coca-Cola and the J&K Wonderland Foundation, we are finding better ways to manage
river waste.'
'With this facility, we can extract plastics, which form the bulk of river waste, and work with local recyclers to ensure they are reused.
'There is also organic waste, so we are collaborating with the Klang council to explore sustainable disposal methods for that too,' he added.
In his keynote speech, Abd Hamid said the facility aligns with the circular economy approach by creating a dedicated space to systematically separate and process plastic and organic waste.
'This not only reduces landfill dependence but also lowers carbon emissions and water pollution.
'The facility contributes to environmental conservation while providing real benefits to the local community.
'It helps reduce marine waste, boosts recycling efficiency and creates stable job opportunities for residents,' he said.
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The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
4,000kg plastic waste collected from river since December
KLANG: Malaysia's first high-tech river plastic waste sorting facility in Sungai Klang has collected some 4,000kg of plastic since beginning operations in December last year. The RM1.5 million facility, a collaboration between Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) master developer Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) and environmental non-profit The Ocean Cleanup, was fully funded by Coca-Cola Malaysia. LLSB managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin said the facility has the capacity to sort up to 10,000kg of waste per day. He said the initiative is expected to reduce reliance on landfills and improve the management of marine waste in a more sustainable way. 'Our target is 20% of the waste we collect from the Klang River will not end up in landfills. 'At the very least, we can extract and recover plastic and manage it responsibly,' Syaiful Azmen said after the official launch of the facility at Taman Pengkalan Batu yesterday. Also present were Klang Royal City Council Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo. Syaiful Azmen said there is a need to establish similar facilities along the 100km-long Klang River, including in Shah Alam. 'Previously, waste collected from the river went straight to a landfill. Now, with support from Ocean Cleanup, Coca-Cola and the J&K Wonderland Foundation, we are finding better ways to manage river waste.' 'With this facility, we can extract plastics, which form the bulk of river waste, and work with local recyclers to ensure they are reused. 'There is also organic waste, so we are collaborating with the Klang council to explore sustainable disposal methods for that too,' he added. In his keynote speech, Abd Hamid said the facility aligns with the circular economy approach by creating a dedicated space to systematically separate and process plastic and organic waste. 'This not only reduces landfill dependence but also lowers carbon emissions and water pollution. 'The facility contributes to environmental conservation while providing real benefits to the local community. 'It helps reduce marine waste, boosts recycling efficiency and creates stable job opportunities for residents,' he said.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Sorting facility along Sg Klang to stem pollution
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Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
Road connectivity: A double edged sword of opportunities, social challenges
Photo, published in The Borneo Post earlier this year, shows travellers attempting to manoeuvre a four-wheel drive vehicle over a mud-covered stretch on the Ba Kelalan Highlands. ON June 18, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas reaffirmed the Sarawak government's commitment to connecting all rural settlements by road by 2030. This timely announcement has come amidst mounting grievances from residents in remote areas, who are facing daily hardships due to poorly maintained roads, broken bridges, and in some cases, a complete lack of road access. Speaking at a Highland Development Agency (HDA) laboratory, Uggah highlighted the Baram region as an example – where many roads, including ageing logging tracks, are in urgent need of maintenance, upgrades or the replacement of collapsed bridges. This commitment is not just rhetoric – it is backed by a RM1.5 billion allocation to nine regional development agencies tasked with implementing infrastructure and development projects in their respective areas. Improved road access is expected to be a game-changer for rural development, particularly in Sarawak's deep interior. It promises substantial social and economic benefits, including better access to markets for local produce, as well as to healthcare and education. However, with road connectivity also come new social challenges. Increased contact with outsiders could disrupt traditional ways of life, potentially exposing communities to external influences that they may not be prepared for. Proactive measures by government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are crucial in helping rural communities adapt to the inevitable changes that come with road connectivity. One of the earliest challenges likely to emerge is land disputes and loss of land to newcomers to their areas. Road construction often requires the acquisition of private land, which can lead to dissatisfaction over compensation, although such disputes are usually resolved over time. The opening of remote areas also makes them vulnerable to large-scale land acquisitions by corporations for plantations or logging, often leading to protest by the indigenous population over encroachment of ancestral land. Operating large scale agricultural enterprises and logging concessions require hiring personnel from outside, especially foreign workers. This influx of outsiders can create friction with local populations as they may feel threatened and marginalised. Additionally, speculators may swoop in to buy land cheaply, depriving locals of the full benefits once the road infrastructure is complete. To address this, the government must strengthen land rights protection and ensure that the locals receive fair treatment in all land-related transactions. Regional development agencies and NGOs must also take a leading role in training the communities to seize economic and employment opportunities in this evolving landscape. The transition from subsistence farming, foraging and hunting, to formal employment or commercial ventures, presents a steep learning curve. Without adequate preparation, the local community risk being sidelined by outsiders, who are quicker to establish businesses and take advantage of new opportunities. This could widen income disparities and foster social resentment within these communities. Improved access can lead to a rise in illegal activities such as logging, poaching, introduction of illicit substances and smuggling – particularly in border-adjacent villages. Another potential danger is the rise in theft, burglary and other crimes committed by outsiders gaining faster access to remote villages, where the people who are used low crime rate environment are the easy targets. Security must be strengthened by stationing more law enforcement personnel to these rural areas to curb these risks. A member of Parliament of a rural constituency once raised the issue of too few personnel being assigned to the rural police stations. He added that it made it difficult to curb crimes as the police were 'overstretched', covering a vast area of rugged terrains with too few men. Demographic shifts may also occur as road connectivity lures young people to towns in search of better opportunities. This trend is already visible in some villages and longhouses, where the youth migration has left elderly residents to care for the young children. As young people adopt urban lifestyles, traditional customs, languages and practices may slowly erode, leading to a loss of cultural identity. To mitigate this cultural attrition, the government agencies and community associations must help people themselves to take proactive steps preserve their language and tradition. Despite these concerns and challenges, road connectivity remains vital for rural Sarawak. Without it, communities risk continued isolation and being left behind in the state's development. With thoughtful planning and comprehensive support systems, the stress of transitioning to modern life can be mitigated. Steps must be taken to ensure that progress does not come at the cost of social disruption and the marginalisation of local communities.
