KUCHING – Sarawak has become the first state in Malaysia to enact a comprehensive waste management law, positioning itself as a leader in the circular economy and opening new opportunities for innovation in sustainable products and energy.
The Sustainable Resources and Waste Management Law 2025 was highlighted by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg during the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Corporate Dinner at the Riverside Majestic Hotel.
He said the law will enable industries to transform waste into valuable raw materials, reducing environmental impact while creating economic opportunities.
The Premier pointed to plastic waste as an example of untapped potential. “We can produce new products from our waste. For example, plastic, which can be processed into plastic stone. When mixed with bitumen, it can be used for road surfacing. If plastic is given a market value, society will no longer throw away plastic carelessly because it can be used as a basic material in the construction sector,” he explained.
He also announced that the government will take over approximately 6,000 kilometres of logging roads, converting them into public roads free of charge for villagers and longhouse residents.
This move, he said, will improve rural connectivity and reduce costs for communities. In areas such as Baram, where quality stone for road construction is scarce, plastic-based alternatives could help address shortages.
Looking ahead, the Premier urged SEDC to embrace modern technology and explore new energy sources. He expressed confidence that Sarawak could become a producer of biofuel-based aviation fuel through algae cultivation.
“I hope SEDC can produce another source of energy, which is algae. With the collaboration of other strategic partners, I hope this algae can be used as energy for aviation,” he said.
Abang Johari added that ongoing collaboration between SEDC and the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre will drive research into high-impact products over the next five to ten years.
He emphasised that innovation in waste management and renewable energy is central to Sarawak’s long-term development strategy.
The Premier’s remarks reflect Sarawak’s broader ambition to strengthen its green economy credentials. By integrating waste-to-product technologies and renewable energy initiatives, the state aims to reduce reliance on raw material exports and build a more resilient, technology-driven economy.
The event was attended by key figures including Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Dato’ Murshid Diraja Dr Juanda Jaya, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak State Secretary, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain, SEDC Chairman, and Datu Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir, SEDC General Manager.
