KOTA KINABALU – Sabah is in the midst of finalising a by-law to prohibit the use of single-use plastics and straws in business premises as part of efforts to conserve the environment.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said making solid waste management and public sanitisation in Sabah more efficient and effective is one of the ministry’s priorities.
“Sabah’s Solid Waste Management and Public Sanitisation Enactment is in the final stage of completion, and it is expected to be presented in the next state assembly sitting early next year.
The ministry was allocated RM5.1 million under the state budget 2021 to improve solid waste management in Sabah, including purchasing and distributing food waste processors as well as steel garbage bins to all local authorities in the state,” said Masidi.
He said the state will also distribute mobile modified 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) containers to the local authorities for them to set up a recycling collection centre.
Speaking at his winding up speech for the state budget at the state assembly here on Tuesday, Masidi said RM1.51 million was also allocated to upgrade Papar and Semporna’s landfill, while another one is being set up in Banggi Island. A total of 13 disposal sites managed by local authorities will also be upgraded under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan.
He said Sabah will see more level four sanitary landfills that will be more cost effective, beginning next year.
Meanwhile, the ministry through the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority will continue to develop the seven new townships in Sabah including Banggi, Paitan, Sukau, Merotai, Kalabakan, Kiulu and Bum-Bum, with an allocation of RM 6.6 million under the state budget next year.
On the development of low-cost housing for the lower income groups in Sabah, Masidi said his ministry will increase its efforts to get more allocation from the federal government so that more low-cost housings could be built.
Since the 1st Malaysia Plan, the ministry has built 29,218 units of low-cost housing.
He said a total of 175 units of low-cost houses are being constructed under the 11th Malaysia Plan costing RM26.42 million, while another 175 units for the B40 groups will be constructed under the 12th Malaysia Plan equally costing the same.
“These houses will be sold at between RM42,000 and RM47,000 per unit for the lower income groups, B40 group, and those who are living in squatter houses,” he said.–The Vibes, December 24, 2020.
