As Sarawak accelerates its move towards greener, low-carbon urban development, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh has emphasized the importance of managing waste wisely, adhering to the circular economy concept.
During his representation of the Deputy Premier and Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at the Sustainability Within, Green Earth Beyond 2025 Programme held at Surau Darul Hijrah, he highlighted the programme’s objective of fostering community awareness regarding environmental sustainability and responsible management of natural resources.
Initiatives to Promote Sustainability
“This initiative is pivotal in raising awareness among residents to ensure our lifestyle is centered around the environment and sustainability,” he stated while addressing reporters. “It also promotes the recycling of waste, encouraging the use of materials often deemed as waste as inputs for generating income within the community.”
He expressed optimism about expanding the initiative with the collaboration of the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), University of Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU).
Challenges in Recycling Efforts
When inquiries arose regarding current recycling initiatives, such as the collection of used cooking oil, Len Talif noted that these efforts have been in place for some time by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), DBKU, and local authorities.
However, he acknowledged the low recycling rates and cautioned that unmanaged food waste from events could pose significant challenges in the future. He stressed that the public has yet to fully adopt responsible consumption habits.
Len Talif affirmed the necessity of initiating sustainability education early on, including at the school level, to cultivate future recycling ambassadors.
“What we consider ‘waste’ is not truly waste,” he reiterated, echoing the Premier’s message: “Don’t waste the waste, monetise the waste.”
Tree-Planting and Community Engagement
As part of the programme, seven zones surrounding the Darul Hana housing area were planted with approximately 210 trees, including Lagerstroemia speciosa, Mimusops elengi, White bucida, and Casuarina equisetifolia.
The tree-planting initiative underscores the LCDA’s commitment to low-carbon urban development as part of the Environmental Sustainability pillar of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
The programme also featured exhibitions on sustainability, demonstrations on food waste recycling, and traditional sports like sepak raga.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies) Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi, LCDA General Manager Datu Zaidi Mahdi, NREB Controller of Environmental Quality Datu Jack Liam, DBKU Director Ramzi Abdullah, along with representatives from various departments, senior LCDA officials, and staff.
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