09/08/2025

SATURDAY | AUG 9, 2025

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Malls required to have recycling facilities by 2026

Free services for public at govt event KOTA BHARU: At the Kelantan Madani Rakyat Programme 2025, visitors can not only change their motorcycle engine oil, but also get a new haircut, all free of charge. Residents described the initiative as evidence of the government’s concern for the needs of the people, notably the low-income group. Mohd Siaful Muizuddin, 33, said he was satisfied with the quality of the engine oil used, although the service was provided for free. “Many services that meet the needs of the people are provided in this programme, including (engine) oil change. The products used are of very good quality, like those used in motorcycle workshops. “Usually, the cost of changing the engine oil is RM18 to RM20. This shows that the services offered are not just symbolic, but truly beneficial.” The oil change service is operated by 15 trainees and instructors from two Giat Mara institutions in Kelantan, with a target of 100 motorcycles per day. Giat Mara Prima Melor trainee Shahrul Rosli said while helping to ease the burden of the people, the programme also gives him a chance to gain real-world experience. “I have just completed a course in motorcycle technology and this service has been the best practical training for me before opening my own workshop.” Meanwhile, the free haircut service conducted by eight trained members from the Malaysian Volunteer Department was also well-received by visitors of all ages. Kelantan Rela director Amirul Ikhwan Ahmad Shukri said their stall was visited since early morning, with more than 80 people receiving the service as of noon. “Visitors can choose their preferred hairstyle. Usually, the haircut charge is about RM13, but here it’s all free. The response has been very encouraging.” The programme, which runs for three days from Thursday, is led by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, in collaboration with the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department and supported by various other ministries and government agencies. It offers more than 100 services to the people, exhibitions of the latest technology and various initiatives to reach out to the community through the comprehensive approach of the Madani government. – Bernama Block batik featured at Madani initiative KOTA BHARU: The charm of block batik , created using hand-carved wooden or copper stamping presses, continues to captivate enthusiasts as the patterns complement traditional outfits such as baju kurung or kebaya . Imperium Batik Ventures entrepreneur Siti Hajar Ismail, 35, said demand for block batik is on the rise as its motifs reflect the beauty of Malay culture, with elements of nature such as flowers, leaves, as well as geometric carvings. “I’m the fifth generation to inherit this batik -making business from my ancestors. Block batik remains relevant and I believe this heritage must be preserved and safeguarded. “We can produce more than 30 designs with patterns such as hibiscus, sunflower and rice grains. Each design requires attention to detail to ensure a perfect print and the colours do not fade despite repeated stamping,” she told Bernama at the Kelantan Madani Rakyat Programme 2025 on Thursday. She also said the process of making block batik begins with carving motifs onto wooden blocks, which are then dipped in dye and stamped onto fabric. “I’m selling designs priced between RM150 and RM300, with discounts of up to 20%.”

o Move aligns with call by prime minister to increase rate of reuse: Minister

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PUTRAJAYA: All shopping malls nationwide will be required to have recycling facilities starting Jan 1 next year, failing which their business licences will not be approved, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said the move is part of efforts to intensify the “trash to cash” and “waste to energy” agenda under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call to increase the recycling rate in Malaysia. “We will enhance drive-thru recycling centres, and I am pleased to announce that from Jan 1, 2026, all shopping malls nationwide must have recycling facilities. “Without them, business licences will not be approved,” he said after launching the Semarak Jiwa Merdeka @ KPKT programme yesterday. Nga said the measure would be supported by the nationwide implementation of separation at source. He added that the European Union’s recycling rate is about 65% and Malaysia must “catch up” to that level. Under 13MP, the ministry would also step up public awareness campaigns promoting the “rethink, reuse, reduce, recycle” concept, starting with educating schoolchildren. On waste-to-energy development, Nga said Malaysia would adopt the most advanced and proven technologies from abroad to ensure sustainable operations. He cited the Ladang Merah project in Port Dickson, which currently generates enough energy from waste to supply 15,000 homes. “Imagine if every state had a waste-to-energy plant. Hundreds of thousands of homes would no longer rely on coal, but on electricity generated from the solid waste we have thrown away. “This is a clear policy direction, and we will implement it to ensure Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni.” Nga also outlined other planned public cleansing reforms under 13MP, which would KUCHING: Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has delivered Bailey Bridge construction components to Sarawak to repair broken bridges in remote districts, ahead of the coming monsoon season from November to March. “We are thankful to Nadma for these vital components,” said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Dougglas Uggah. “The state Public Works Department will send the equipment to Sungai Baleh to build a new Bailey Bridge and replace the existing wooden one that was damaged by floods last year during the monsoon season. “The bridge can be built within one week.” The National Ű BY JOSEPH PETER newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Nga said the move is part of ministry efforts to intensify the ‘trash to cash’ and ‘waste to energy’ agenda under the 13th Malaysia Plan. – BERNAMAPIC

equipment to Sarawak to construct new bridges at critical locations. Long Banga in the Baram district is located about 200km inland from Miri city. The Bailey Bridge components can be installed quickly and are made of iron, making them durable against heavy rain and floods. The bridge would help ensure seamless road travel into interior and remote areas. The construction of one bridge may vary depending on the width of the river and could cost up to RM300,000. This excludes the cost of transporting components through mountainous terrain. About one million residents in remote locations throughout Sarawak have to endure unsafe conditions on roads and bridges daily. under consideration include Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur. “This method has proven successful in developed cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen. “Workers will avoid the sun, work in cooler conditions, and most importantly, not disrupt traffic in tourist areas,” Nga said, adding that he would personally go to the ground with workers during the rollout. On housing reform, Nga said the ministry has been entrusted to deliver one million affordable homes within 10 years under 13MP, with a focus on Perumahan Madani projects that are sustainable and inclusive. He also said the ministry’s goal is to ensure every Malaysian can own a quality home. Earlier in his speech, Nga also urged civil servants to uphold the spirit of independence and unity beyond August.

Sungai Baleh, which is about 100m wide, is located near the Long Banga settlement in interior Baram. Dougglas, who is also Sarawak deputy premier, said Nadma is helping to build similar iron bridges in interior central Sarawak to replace damaged ones. “We have identified more than 200 locations throughout Sarawak where bridges are broken or damaged. “Many are in (remote) locations where there are logging operations.” Among the locations are rural areas such as Long San, Palungan, Bario, Long Pilah (in northern Sarawak), the Belaga and Kapit districts in central Sarawak and the Skrang and Sri Aman districts in southern Sarawak. Dougglas expressed hope that Nadma and Putrajaya would help provide more be implemented through the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation and the National Solid Waste Management Department. The initiatives include introducing an electric vehicle fleet for garbage trucks to move towards a zero-carbon economy by 2035, launching night cleaning operations at strategic locations to avoid traffic disruption and suit Malaysia’s climate and carrying out “deep cleansing” in high-priority areas using water jets for dust-free cleaning. He said waste collection frequency would also be increased, from two or three times a week to four times, while more recycling facilities would be set up in commercial and public areas. The first phase of night cleaning would begin as a pilot project in key tourism zones, ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Locations

Nadma helps repair damaged bridges in Sarawak