Parliament today passed the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2026, empowering Sabah and Sarawak to govern “scheduled waste” produced and managed within their respective territories. Until now, licensing, transportation and disposal of certain hazardous by-products were handled at the federal level; the amendments transfer those responsibilities to the two Bornean states.

Key provisions of the bill allow Sabah and Sarawak to:

• Authorize, extend and revoke permits for the treatment, storage and disposal of scheduled waste generated by in-state industries
• Establish state-level charges and performance criteria for waste handlers
• Oversee transport routes and impose sanctions on unlicensed carriers

During the second and third readings, ministers emphasised that although states will assume regulatory authority, national environmental and public health protections remain intact. The amendments require both states to uphold standards at least as rigorous as federal guidelines and to submit annual reports to the Department of Environment.

Proponents say the shift balances local self-governance with robust pollution control. Sabah’s Natural Resources Minister observed that state authorities are best equipped to address on-site issues, from waste at remote logging camps to urban processing plants. Sarawak delegates concurred that local management will accelerate permit approvals and cut bureaucratic delays.

Opposition legislators pressed for clearer coordination between state agencies and Kuala Lumpur, cautioning that divergent fee structures or inspection regimes might create loopholes. In response, the bill was adjusted to form a joint technical committee, chaired alternately by federal and state officials, to ensure consistent data collection and emergency responses.

With today’s vote, the Environmental Quality Act 1974 has been updated to adopt a more decentralised approach to hazardous-waste governance. Both Sabah and Sarawak governments will begin drafting their own scheduled-waste regulations, aiming for full implementation by early 2027. Environmental organisations have cautiously welcomed the change, urging rapid capacity building to ensure the system runs smoothly from day one.

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Note: This piece was automatically sourced from reliable news outlets. It serves for general informational purposes only. Always confirm project specifics, pricing and investment decisions with licensed agents or official developers.