THE SARAWAK Government is currently conducting an integrated solid waste management study for the state.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the study, which will provide a holistic plan for sustainable and long-term solution on solid waste management for the state, is expected to be completed by the end of December 2018.
He noted that there are currently three sanitary landfills in Sarawak that are equipped with proper leachate treatment plant while the remaining waste disposal sites are all open dump sites.
Dr Sim said solid waste management in Sarawak is very costly.
“In 2017, the 23 local authorities under my Ministry collected RM25.1 million for scavenging service from the assessment rates. However, during the same period, the local authorities spent about RM58 million for the service.
“Apart from the financial constraint, the local authorities also face other technical issues and challenges like narrow roads, scattered settlements, high water content in wastes, etc,” he said in his winding up speech.
Dr Sim disclosed that the State Government has approved a site for a new sanitary landfill at Bukit Gran Stumbin.
He, however, said Sri Aman District Council has to wait for the recommendations of the Sarawak Integrated Solid Waste Management Study before planning and bidding for the necessary budget to construct the new landfill.
The closure of the Entulang dump site can only be executed upon completion of the new sanitary landfill.
He also said the Miri City Council has no plan to shut down and relocate the existing Sibuti Sanitary Landfill.
He noted that the facility is conveniently located to serve Miri, Subis as well as Marudi and the landfill is three kilometres away from the nearest village.
“It is also equipped with a new RM23 million leachate treatment plant which was recently operational and has a capacity to serve Miri, Subis and Marudi for the next 35 years,” he said.