SABAH is mulling new laws to come up with solutions to its waste management issues, said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Through this move, he said local authorities would be empowered in the collection, enforcement and disposal of solid waste and provide solutions to waste management issues faced by the State.
“Sabah can and will lead the way with Sabah Plastic Neutral, and with strong support from the international community, we can create a healthier and sustainable future at the beginning of the Unesco Ocean Decade,” he said.
The Ocean Decade (2021-2030) provides a framework to ensure ocean science can fully support countries to achieve the 2030 agenda for sustainable development of oceans and seas.
Speaking at the launching of BluHope “Water is Life! – Rethinking Plastic and Awareness” programme, Masidi said the amount of plastic waste that ended up on beaches was a disgraceful reality faced by Sabahans who live in these areas.
“As a result, generations of Sabahans had to live on generations of plastic waste. This situation cannot continue,” he said. His speech was delivered by his Assistant Minister, Mohammad Hamsan Awang Supain.
Commending BluHope on its Sabah Plastic Neutral campaign, Masidi said the organisation has stepped forward to tackle plastic pollution at a community level, as well as finding solutions to maximize value from plastic waste.
“This has done a great deal to protect Sabah’s biodiversity, among the interesting approaches include plastic collection and separation, education and awareness, recycling tech and beach clean-ups,” he said.
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