State open to discussing implementation of Waste Act
THE state government is open to discussions on implementing the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government had agreed to engage in further discussions on its implementation but would take into account the advantages and disadvantages of the Act as well as its benefits before making a decision.

“The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation briefed the state government a few weeks ago.

“The state exco was also briefed on the Act and are open to further discussions.

“While the state has agreed to discuss this matter, we have yet to go ahead with the discussions.

“A decision will be made only after follow-up discussions on the Act have taken place,” he said during a press conference at his office in Komtar.

He said they would assess the comparison between states that adopted the Act and those that manage it themselves.

He said prior to this the state was not approached to implement the Act.

Chow was responding to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who announced that the government was actively negotiating with the Selangor and Penang governments to ratify the Act.

Nga noted that if the negotiations prove successful, both states would align with seven others that have ratified the pertinent Act, to establish legal consistency in overseeing matters on solid waste management and public cleansing.

He said the five states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Selangor and Penang, have yet to sign the agreement.

Act 672 controls and regulates matters related to the management of controlled solid waste and public cleansing.
THE state government is open to discussions on implementing the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).