Johor: The management of scheduled waste is a critical issue that requires serious attention from the Johor State Government, in line with rapid industrial growth and investment, particularly in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and manufacturing sectors, according to an industry player.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Econas Resource To Energy Sdn Bhd (E2RE) executive chairman Datuk Mohd Shafiee Mohd Sanip emphasized that Johor, as one of the country's largest industrial states, faces significant risks to public safety and the environment if hazardous waste is not managed systematically and close to its source of generation. He highlighted the presence of industries such as aluminium, steel, petrochemical, and oil refining, which directly generate scheduled waste. If not properly managed, the impact will not only affect the environment but also public safety.
E2RE is involved in the collection, treatment, recycling, recovery, and final disposal of scheduled waste. Datuk Mohd Shafiee pointed out that while Malaysia has a strong legal framework and a high level of compliance among premises and scheduled waste transport operators, there are weaknesses in on-the-ground enforcement, including issues related to overloading of lorries and road accidents. He suggested that more accredited scheduled waste treatment facilities in Johor could reduce the risks associated with long-distance transportation on public roads, thereby minimizing the potential for accidents and pollution.
He noted that Johor's road infrastructure is still undergoing construction or upgrading, further increasing safety risks in the transportation of scheduled waste. Some highways in Johor are still partially completed, with narrow lanes shared with public vehicles. Transporting scheduled materials under such conditions is extremely dangerous, as any accident could pose serious risks to road users and the environment.
Datuk Mohd Shafiee stressed that public safety should be a primary consideration in planning scheduled waste management, in line with Johor's development and sustainability agenda. He noted that in 2023, Malaysia recorded approximately seven million tonnes of scheduled waste, with Johor accounting for about 25 per cent, making it one of the largest contributors nationwide.
He proposed that the state government consider establishing a Johor Green Sustainability Fund, financed through contributions from high-risk industries such as steel, petrochemical, and oil plants, without burdening government finances or taxpayers. Contributions could be based on a clear formula such as the volume of waste generated, production capacity, or carbon emissions, in line with the internationally practised 'polluter pays principle'. The fund could be used to support the Department of Environment as well as to finance remediation work in the event of pollution incidents such as contaminated rivers or illegal waste dumping.
Referring to the Sungai Kim Kim pollution incident, he emphasized that failure to manage hazardous waste not only affects residents' health but also entails high clean-up costs.