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Collaboration on Waste

Management in Malaysia -

~ 30 Years of Solving the Puzzle

Dr. Theng Lee Chong Environment / Waste Management Specialist

Background of Collaboration - turning dumpsite into proper landfill

Waste management is traditionally a problem in

Malaysia, under the management of the local

authorities

Open dumping / Open burning Leachate contamination Bad smell / Hygiene problem

Alarming stage (1980s)

In 1987, the Malaysia Government requested the

Japan Government to assist in improving the

waste management as a whole, particularly

looking at the disposal sites.

In 1988, JICA dispatched technical assistance to

Malaysia, selected site at Seberang Prai.

1987

1987

1987

Prof. Yasushi Matsufuji (松藤康司教授)

Main Issues Faced

MATERIALS

MAN POWER

MONEY

~ Lack of 3M

NO MONEY

NO MANPOWER

NO MATERIALS

Utilization of local available materials – used metal drums

Development of Semi Aerobic Landfill

in Malaysia

Utilization of local available materials – used metal drums

Utilization of local available materials – bamboo

Utilization of local available materials – bamboo

Utilization of local available materials – bamboo

Consultations with the local

Construction of 1st Semi Aerobic Landfill System

Construction of 1st Semi Aerobic Landfill System

1992

Further improvement of leachate quality

Further improvement of leachate quality

Leachate Re-circulation and filtration systems

1993

Comparison of Leachate from Anaerobic landfill, semi aerobic landfill and filtrated leachate

1988 1988

1992 1996

Monitoring / Analysis at the Closed Landfill

2012

2015

Our Collaboration continues..

The Japan Government through JICA and some other

agencies continued supports to the Malaysia

Government in development of important documents:

Guidelines on Development and Operation of Sanitary Landfill Landfill Closure Guidelines National Waste Management Minimization and Action Plan National Strategic Plan for Solid Waste Management

Continuous capacity building /

training of Malaysian personnel in

Japan, on various expertise with

regard to solid waste management.

Collaboration projects at local levels – Sibu, Penang,

Hang Tuah Jaya, Iskandar Malaysia,

Frasers’ Hill etc.

Witnessing the Evolution of Waste

Management in Malaysia Hygiene problems

Pollutions

Health Concerns

Proper

Closure

Environmental

Protections

Waste-to-Energy

Effective Recovery - Recyclable materials

Reduce, Reuse, Recycling

Alternative Solutions

Integrated SWM

<1970s

2020

Specific Wastes:

- Food Wastes

- Construction Wastes

- E-wastes / HHW

Composting

Open Dumping

SWM Strategic Plan

Waste Minimization Plan

Sanitary

Landfills

SWM Act and Regulations

(2007)

Quality

Services

Landfill Guidelines

1987 2015

Prof. Dr. Yasushi Matsufuji (松藤康司教授)

Technical

Know-how Money,

Materials and

Manpower

Capacity Building

30 Years of Solving the Puzzle

Commitments /

Self-efforts by the

Malaysians

1980s - 2017

Development of technical

Guidelines

Trainings in Japan

Conducts of pilot projects

Supports of local experts

Advisory / Continuous monitoring

– Finding a holistic Solution

The Challenges

Setting of Priority

Technical

Legal & Institutional Frameworks

Economic Instruments /

Funding

POLITICAL WILL

Culture

Technical know-how Transfer of technology Technology barriers

(Local vs foreign)

Not in priority list Lack of long-term planning Economic / Physical

development

Willingness to pay Best Affordable Model Development budget

Maintenance Awareness Commitments

Overlaps of jurisdictions Private and Public gap Capacity constraint Enforcement

Lessons Learnt from Collaboration

on Waste Management in Malaysia

Solving immediate problems, lack of long term

planning.

Weak in duplication / sustainability of projects.

Setting of priority on waste management vs other

development sectors

Commitments from the decision makers

High turn over of trained personnel

Constraints of local experts

Availability of other options / alternatives Other local constraints such as political and

economical constraints

The Way Forward Transfers of know-how from Japan to Malaysia have

contributed significantly to the waste management sector in

Malaysia for the past 30 years.

Future Collaborations

Very specific focus areas (still a lot to learn from) – such as

E-waste, food waste, used diaper recycling, sea-landfilling

etc.

JICA SME driven projects is an interesting new scheme,

helping the private sectors to link with each others.

Capacity building / training of expertise or human resources

at all levels is still highly required while moving towards a

developed nation.

Dr. Theng: Email: thenglc@gmail.com

Let’s move towards the next 60 years

of collaboration…