Kuala lumpur: All visitors to Malaysia’s marine parks will be required to take their rubbish back to land starting January 1, 2026, as part of efforts to reduce pollution, particularly plastic waste, which has been identified as a major threat to marine ecosystems. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) announced this decision following the National Advisory Council of Marine Parks and Marine Reserves meeting held yesterday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the directive is supported by representatives from the state governments of Kedah, Pahang, Johor, Terengganu, Melaka, and the Federal Territory of Labuan, as well as non-governmental organizations focused on marine conservation. The new requirement underscores the nation’s commitment to maintaining clean, healthy, and sustainable marine protected areas.
The ministry highlighted that plastic pollution has led to coral reef damage, marine life fatalities, and increased microplastic levels, ultimately impacting human health and the nation’s food security. KPKM has called on boat operators, dive centers, tour guides, local communities, and the tourism industry to support the “Take Your Rubbish Home” campaign.
The campaign will be launched at the marine park centers on Redang and Perhentian islands in Terengganu, Payar Island in Kedah, Tinggi Island in Johor, and Rusukan Kecil Island in Labuan. The ministry emphasized that collective cooperation is essential in raising public awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and the importance of protecting the nation’s food sources.
Meanwhile, KPKM’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, stated that the government’s decision to mandate rubbish removal by visitors reflects its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s marine biodiversity. He noted that plastic pollution not only endangers marine life but also directly affects the food chain and public well-being. Conservation efforts can be bolstered with support from all stakeholders to ensure the preservation of Malaysia’s marine parks for future generations.
The meeting also introduced a science-based strategic initiative, the Mapping of Malaysia’s Key Coastal and Marine Areas, aimed at identifying and protecting sensitive areas, including critical breeding sites and threatened coral reef habitats, for more focused conservation actions.
KPKM encourages state governments to prioritize marine conservation when distributing the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation received through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. The allocation should be directed towards high-impact conservation initiatives that support the implementation of Marine Protected Areas at the state level.