XIANGYANG, HUBEI PROVINCE – A high-level Sarawak delegation has concluded a technical study tour in China’s Xiangyang City, examining cutting-edge sewage and organic waste treatment systems designed to turn pollution into renewable resources.
Led by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, the team visited two major facilities: the Guanyinge and Yuliangzhou sewage treatment plants collectively capable of processing 500,000 tonnes of wastewater daily as well as the Xiangyang City Urban Sludge and Kitchen Waste Treatment Centre.
Operational since 2014, the centre transforms sewage sludge and food waste into valuable outputs such as biodiesel, compressed natural gas, and biochar.
Officials revealed the facility is now pioneering research into green hydrogen and carbon nanomaterials, positioning itself at the forefront of circular economy innovation.
Datuk Michael described the insights gained as directly aligned with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, particularly its goals to modernize waste management, reduce environmental impact, and generate clean energy from municipal byproducts.
“This is not just about cleaner water it’s about reimagining waste as a resource,” he said.
The visit underscores Sarawak’s intent to adopt globally proven, scalable technologies to upgrade its own aging sewerage infrastructure.
With urban populations growing and climate pressures mounting, officials see international collaboration as essential to building resilient, low-carbon public utilities.
Accompanying the minister were key experts, including Datu Ir. Ts. Richard Tajan, Director of the Sewerage Services Department; Ahmad Faizal Yaman Ahmad Shafiee from the Sarawak Financial Secretary’s Office; Jamey Ngedat, Deputy Director for Infrastructure Development; and senior departmental officers responsible for planning and implementation.