Minister Nga Kor Ming said the initiative was among the key strategies outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), as part of a comprehensive effort to safeguard planetary health and achieve zero waste.

“This single agency will encompass the five key principles of waste management, namely collection, transportation, recovery, treatment and disposal.

“This effort is in line with the commitment to achieve zero waste, while promoting green economic growth, advancing social wellbeing, and ensuring environmental sustainability, as outlined in the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste in Malaysia,” he said during a question-and-answer session.

He was responding to a question from Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (GPS-Betong) on the ministry’s measures to strengthen the governance of solid waste management, including aspects of the circular economy, green job creation and the adoption of innovative technologies.

Responding to a supplementary question from Richard Rapu on the ministry’s strategy to assist local authorities (PBTs) in tackling rising solid waste management costs, Nga said the government had allocated substantial funds for public cleaning under the 13MP.

“Almost every year, RM2 billion is allocated to states that have adopted Act 672 (Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act). Selangor and Penang have agreed in principle to adopt the same Act, and assistance will be extended to their respective PBTs to ensure efficient solid waste management,” he said.

Nga said under the 13MP, the government had also set a target for 20% of waste collection vehicles to be electric-powered by 2027, in line with the country’s decarbonisation policy.