By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Nov 11 — Waste management should be a shared responsibility, not just the burden of relevant agencies, said KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) managing director Dato’ Ramli Mohd Tahir.
Speaking at the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt, recently, Ramli said all parties must take this matter seriously if Malaysia is to become a developed nation and achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Ramli, whose firm manages Selangor’s waste, stressed that each person must be accountable for their garbage to ensure a cleaner environment.
“The world has six billion people, and Malaysia alone has 36 million. It is not easy to control people’s disposal habits. However, there must be an inherent self-awareness that waste is our own responsibility,” he said.
“We can talk about the SDGs or ESG (environment, social and governance), but if the surroundings are dirty, we cannot elevate the country. We must be united on and sensitive to this matter,” he said after his presentation titled “Smart Waste Management for a Smart State” at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in Cairo on November 7.
During his visit, Ramli observed several areas of improvement in Egypt’s waste management system, including waste collection schedules, asset utilisation, trash bin availability, and enforcement.
He noted a lack of waste bins in residential areas in Egypt, as well as inadequate street cleaning, particularly in Old Cairo.
“The public also disposes of waste indiscriminately, as if there’s no sense of responsibility that the waste belongs to them,” he said.
“Early awareness is needed, and their government should instil positive values at the school level,” he added, noting that it would be challenging for KDEBWM to enter the Egyptian market for potential waste management partnerships.
